[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 486]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING SPECIAL KIDS DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PETER J. ROSKAM

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 9, 2009

  Mr. ROSKAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize an important 
community service organization located in Elmhurst, Illinois in my 
congressional district called Special Kids Day.
  Special Kids Day was created in 1990 as a holiday event for children 
with special needs and their families to visit Santa Claus without 
obstacles. This venture has evolved into a not-for-profit organization 
dedicated to providing celebratory events for children with 
disabilities and their families in an environment designed to 
accommodate their special needs.
  On the first Wednesday each December, Special Kids Day holds their 
flagship event. Volunteers help children get their picture taken with 
Santa and distribute goodie bags with toys and candy. Other surprises 
from face painters to balloon animals help make these events a 
memorable time for special needs children. All of this allows these 
children and their families to enjoy the magic of the Christmas season 
without some of the challenges of making a trip to the mall at the 
holidays.
  Today, the Special Kids Day organization has grown to include dozens 
of volunteers who serve hundreds of families in the Chicagoland area. 
For the first time, Special Kids Day also began holding a Carnival Day 
at the Annual Elmfest in Elmhurst this year.
  Madam Speaker and distinguished colleagues, please join me in 
honoring the time and effort of Special Kids Day volunteers. This 
organization's selfless, charitable spirit is what makes Illinois' 
Sixth District such a pleasure to represent.

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