Cherokee Dam hosted families with special needs for the Access-Life East TN Expo, Saturday.

The event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. welcomed families and offered them a chance to enjoy pontoon boat rides, kayaking, bank fishing, archery, petting zoo, crafts, games and prizes and food all for free.

“The expo consists of games, crafts, a petting zoo, fishing, airsoft, games, boat rides, food, snacks, rock climbing, kayaking, and vendors,” said Hannah Spradling, ministry intern for Access-Life. “This year, we had vendors attend that were helpful resources to those with disabilities and their families.

“Everyone attends completely for free. The event is geared towards individuals with disabilities and their families. We have many volunteers that help make this event possible.”

Access-Life is dedicated to “bridging the gap” between individuals and families affected by disabilities and Christ honoring churches, organizations and volunteers.

The organization hosted its first expo for East Tennessee in the summer of 2021 and it was met with great success.

Spradling explained the desire to create an event for families and the need to have such an event.

“The goal of the event is to provide an encouraging, Christ centered, support and fun for families and those with disabilities. People with disabilities may not have the opportunity to go to church,” she said. “Creating events such as the expo, spring flings, jingle and mingle, and the fall festival, gives those the opportunity to have a chance to experience the love of Jesus.

“We as a non-profit strive to help those with disabilities everywhere. We serve people in several other states and countries. We want to give people with disabilities and their families a chance to have fun completely for free and not have to worry if it is accessible for them or not. We make sure everything at the event is accessible and free to those with disabilities and their families.”

Access Life was founded by Doug and Leanne Goddard in 2010 in response to both the need they saw to connect individuals and families living with disabilities to Jesus and Christ honoring churches

Thirteen years later, the organization has more than 1,500 volunteers from across Florida, Texas and Tennessee as well as Belize.

“Access-Life sees a need to connect those with disabilities and their families with Jesus. We create an accessible, positive, Christian environment for those with disabilities and their families,” Spradling said. “Every event we put on is completely free for those attending. These events give not only those with disabilities a chance to thrive in an accessible, Christ-centered environment, but also allow their siblings to have fun.”

Although the event is over, Spradling encourages those interested in making a difference to join the organization and help with its other projects including sending medical equipment to Belize to those in need.

“We do several events throughout the year. We serve many different communities other than East TN. If you have a heart for those with disabilities and Jesus, we encourage you to get involved with us,” she said. “We love having new volunteers. We recently went to Belize in April and handed out wheelchairs, walkers and other medical supplies and equipment to those in need.

“However, if you can’t travel with us we also take donated items to Belize with us, so if anyone has old medical equipment or extra supplies they are thinking of throwing away, we would love to have them donated to those with disabilities in Belize.”