WHAT'S HAPPENING

FOR MOTHER OF CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, CAROLINE'S CART MAKES GROCERY SHOPPING EASIER

Caroline's Cart provides parents and caregivers a viable option to transport a child through a store while grocery shopping, without having to maneuver a wheelchair and a traditional grocery cart at the same time.

Caroline's Cart is a shopping cart created for special needs children. It is named after Caroline, the special needs daughter of Drew Ann and David Long. Drew Ann Long saw the need for Caroline's Cart after realizing her daughter would outgrow a typical shopping cart. Knowing what was needed, she founded Parent Solution Group, LLC, designed the cart, applied for a patent, and enlisted the services of legal and business professionals to help her bring the cart to market.

Her mission was to make Caroline's Cart available to retailers everywhere, providing a quality product for special needs children that further enables their participation in mainstream society with

their family through the common activity of grocery shopping. There was only one place that shared her dream and had the technical know-how to make a cart worthy of her daughter's name. That company was Wanzl North America, headquartered in Newton, NC, North America's largest shopping cart manufacturer.

Caroline's Cart has now become a reality. Retailers such as supermarkets, hypermarkets, shopping centers, and malls offering Caroline's Carts will provide a valuable service to the families of over 1 million severely disabled children in the US. These customers will find shopping to be easier, and the goodwill they feel toward their store will translate into customer loyalty.

Drew Ann's hope is that one day all retailers will provide an equal opportunity shopping experience for parents and caregivers of special needs children by furnishing them the option of a Caroline's Cart. All families deserve to have this option, so they can enjoy the freedom of shopping with their special needs child.

Find an award-winning Carolines Cart in a store near you by visiting technibilt.com/carolines-cart/find-a-store

SWEET CAROLINE: Caroline's Cart is also fit for adults with disabilities and is now offered at Target, Publix and Kroger stores across the nation.

NRPA FAMILY HEALTH & FITNESS DAY IS JUNE 11, 2022

Family Health & Fitness Day will be held on June 11, 2022. Celebrated the second Saturday in June each year, this special day promotes the importance of parks and recreation in keeping communities healthy and active.

Park and recreation agencies everywhere are encouraged to participate by sharing ways families can get active on June 11 – whether through participating in virtual programs at home or in their local parks. Members of the healthcare and public health communities are encouraged to participate, as well, even as sponsors.

Various research studies have confirmed that community parks and recreation, green spaces and time outdoors are critical for creating healthy, active and sustainable communities. As we have witnessed throughout the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, parks and recreation has played a critical role in supporting our mental and physical well-being, and Family Health & Fitness Day is a great opportunity to celebrate this.

Park and recreation departments nationwide offer year-round opportunities for families and individuals to stay active and healthy. In fact, living close to parks and other recreation facilities is consistently related to higher physical activity levels for both adults and youth.

Many communities host special events on this day, while others simply encourage their residents to visit a local park or recreation center where they can participate in a variety of family friendly activities, such as walking, hiking, biking, kayaking, golfing, swimming, tennis and more.

Check your local park and recreation website for June 11 events or visit www.nrpa.org

ABOUT THE NATIONAL RECREATION AND PARK ASSOCIATION

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is the leading not-forprofit organization dedicated to building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. With more than 60,000 members, NRPA advances this mission by investing in and championing the work of park and recreation professionals and advocates — the catalysts for positive change in service of equity, climate readiness, and overall health and well-being. For more information, visit nrpa.org