Pool party draws a crowd
COSHOCTON – The Coshocton County Fatherhood Initiative had to cancel its family pool party once this summer due to the weather, but Mother Nature didn’t ruin the fun a second time.
Cooler temperatures and a cloudy sky didn’t keep people away from the group’s July 23 party at Lake Park Aquatic Center. About 250 people ended up enjoying an evening of swimming and refreshments.
“It was only $1 per person and normally its $5 for a child and $7 for an adult to swim and that doesn’t include any refreshments,” said William Johnson, co-chair of the Fatherhood Initiative. “Tonight they got their admission, a bottle of water, hotdog and fresh popcorn.”
Thompkins Child & Adolescent Center helped the Fatherhood Initiative with the party, which they held to help strengthen family units.
“Parents with multiple children normally couldn’t afford to do something like this so we invited them down to come spend time with their children,” Johnson said.
He was extremely happy to see so many families enjoying time together.
“This is fantastic,” Johnson said. “We feel if we can engage just one family we’ve been successful, but to reach multiple families gives us an even greater sense of accomplishment. The more families we engage, the stronger we can make the community.”
One of the families the groups reached was Sally Nelson’s. She brought her twin great-granddaughters, Kileigh and Kristyn Comston and two neighbor children to the event.
“I thought it would be fun for them to do,” Nelson said.
This summer the Fatherhood Initiative and Thompkins also are offering free lunches and activities to children and their families from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Fridays through Aug. 15 at Himebaugh Park. Parents who attend also have the chance to win door prizes.
josie@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
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