More than 75 Alexandria city schoolchildren with special needs enjoyed a cruise on the Dandy followed by lunch at the Old Dominion Boat Club on May 31. More than 50 adults accompanied the children for the annual event. Photo courtesy Michael K. Bohn
The Old Dominion Boat Club held its annual spring cruise and luncheon for children with special needs in the city’s public schools. Seventy-seven children, accompanied by 54 adults, enjoyed an hour-long ride on the dinner ship Dandy on Tuesday May 31. Afterward, the group walked a block to the ODBC clubhouse for hot dogs and chips, followed by an annual favorite, frosted cupcakes.
The students come from five schools in the city — James K. Polk Elementary, John Adams Elementary, Patrick Henry Elementary, Mt. Vernon Community School, Cora Kelly School and William Ramsay Elementary. The adults included parents, teachers, classroom aides and targeted adult assistants.
The Boat Club has hosted twice-annual luncheons for children with special needs for over 35 years. In addition to the spring event, the club and Santa Claus hold a Christmas luncheon. Boat Club members donate the food and help prepare the meal, and the chairperson of the event last week, Dee Beresford, said the results are worth the time and effort: “The smiles on the kids’ faces are reward enough.”