Fox Valley Special Recreation Association

03/09/2026

🪇 Everything you need to know about the BBQ & Basket Raffle Fiesta!

Join us on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 from 5-7:30pm for an evening of community celebration, delicious food, exciting raffles, and great prizes, all supporting FVSRA’s mission to empower people with disabilities.

Here’s everything you need to know 👇

🎟 Raffle Tickets go on Sale THIS Wednesday, March 11!
Get ready to browse our lineup of 15+ incredible raffle baskets filled with a wide variety of prizes. There’s truly something for everyone!
To kick things off, we’ll also be offering a special Early Bird ticket sale during the first few days, so keep an eye out when tickets launch on Wednesday, March 11.

🍗 Meal Tickets Available March 11
Make dinner plans with us! Meals will once again be catered by Five B’s BBQ, and you’ll be able to purchase tickets for your choice of:
• Pork Chop
• Chicken
• Pork Chop & Chicken Combo
• Hot Dog

🥑 NEW: Chips & Dip Contest
Local organizations and community groups are invited to enter our Chips & Dip Contest. Create your best spicy, savory, sweet, or totally unique dip and let event attendees vote for their favorite!
Interested in entering? Visit fvsra.org/event/2026BBQ

🎟 Holy Guacamole Instant Prize Table
For just $5, you can purchase a ticket at the Holy Guacamole table and win an instant prize. Smaller prizes, but guaranteed winners!

✈️ Chips, Dip & A Fabulous Trip
One lucky raffle winner will have the opportunity to choose from five amazing travel destinations, making this one of the most exciting prizes of the night!

All proceeds benefit Fox Valley Special Recreation Association programs and events, helping create opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate, connect, and thrive in our community.

🎟 Mark your calendar and watch for raffle and meal ticket sales opening Wednesday, March 11!

03/07/2026

🌟 From running around playgrounds to running programs, this is who grew up to work at FVSRA!

03/04/2026

🧡 March is recognized as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! Developmental Disabilities are defined as impairments in physical, learning, language or behavior areas. At FVSRA, we believe awareness leads to advocacy and advocacy leads to access.

🎥 To help spark conversation and understanding, our staff are sharing “Did You Know?” facts about developmental disabilities. Click play below and see what you might learn!

This month is about celebrating the contributions of individuals with developmental disabilities, promoting inclusion in all areas of community life, and breaking down barriers to participation all year long.

03/03/2026

✨ VSW is hosting a brand-new adult community event: Hollywood Prom! Bringing together attendees from across the local community, this special evening at the Moose Lodge in Batavia is for adults with disabilities.

They are currently looking for both prom attendees and volunteers to help make this memorable night possible. Caregivers are also welcome to enjoy the evening by watching a livestream from the VSW office.

For full event details, participation requirements, and next steps, visit ourprom.org or see the post below.

03/02/2026

☀️ It's time to register for Summer Day Camp!

Log in to your Rec1 account and secure your summer plans today. All camp details, dates, and helpful information can be found at fvsra.org/camp

Don’t forget! Registration is also now open for Mini Camps and Friday Fun programs. These flexible options are perfect for keeping the fun going on days when traditional camp isn’t in session.

Reach out to us if you need help with the registration process!
📞 630-907-1114 (M–F, 9am–4pm)
📧 info@fvsra.org

02/26/2026

☀️ It's almost time! Summer Day Camp registration opens this MONDAY, March 2nd, at 7am. Registration will also be open for Mini Camps & Friday Fun at this time.

If you plan to register, you can prepare now to ensure a smooth experience! Create or log in to your Rec1 account, complete your 2026-27 Annual Information Form (AIF), and complete any necessary medical forms.

➡️ You can find all the important Summer Day Camp information at fvsra.org/camp

If you have any questions, we're here to help! Contact our office at 630-907-1114 (M-F 9am-4pm) or email us at info@fvsra.org. Let's make this summer a blast!

02/25/2026

🌟 In celebration of Black History Month, FVSRA would like to highlight some of the black leaders that have paved the way for the rights of ALL individuals with disabilities. These leaders represent courage, strength, resilience, and the force behind many of the rights, accessibility, and opportunity individuals have today:

• Fannie Lou Hamer connected the fight for racial justice with disability and economic justice, drawing from her own lived experience with disability and chronic pain. Her advocacy centered the voices of marginalized communities and reminded the nation that freedom must include everyone.

• Donald Galloway was a pioneer in the independent living movement who pushed disability advocacy spaces to confront racial inequities and be more inclusive of people of color, helping broaden who the movement truly served.

• Brad Lomax, a member of the Black Panthers, played a critical role in the 1977 Section 504 Sit-Ins by helping provide food and support to protestors. His work contributed to the signing of the first federal civil rights law protecting people with disabilities.

• Johnnie Lacy dedicated her life to advancing the right of people with disabilities to live independently in their communities. As a founder of the Berkeley Center for Independent Living and a long-time nonprofit leader, her impact continues to be felt today.

• Lois Curtis challenged unjust institutionalization through her role in Olmstead v. L.C. The Supreme Court’s decision affirmed that unnecessary institutionalization is discrimination under the ADA, reshaping disability policy nationwide and reinforcing the right to community-based living.

This month, we celebrate their leadership, resilience, and lasting impact, and honor the role Black leaders have played in shaping disability rights history.

02/23/2026

💙 We are saddened to share the passing of Emma, a valued member of the FVSRA community.

Emma was a dedicated staff member who supported participants through Daybreak, Walking Club, and other programs. Her presence positively impacted those around her, and she brought warmth, care, and a genuine sense of connection to her work. She was known by participants and fellow staff as a kind and uplifting spirit.

We are grateful for the time Emma spent with the FVSRA family and for the role she played in supporting our greater community. She will be remembered and deeply missed. Emma’s obituary can be viewed here: www.countrysidefuneralhomes.com/obituaries/emma-rubino

02/20/2026

💛 What is a CTRS?

A Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) is a trained professional who uses recreation as a purposeful tool to support physical, emotional, social, and life skill development. CTRS professionals assess individual needs, create intentional programs, and facilitate activities that promote independence, confidence, and meaningful connection.

💼 The Career Path in Therapeutic Recreation

These professionals typically earn a degree in Therapeutic Recreation, complete hands-on fieldwork or internships, and pass a national certification exam to become a CTRS. From there, CTRS professionals work in a variety of settings, including community recreation agencies, schools, healthcare facilities, and nonprofit organizations.

Throughout Therapeutic Recreation Month, we’re proud to highlight the professionals and programs that make this work possible, not just this month, but all year long. 🌟

02/19/2026

🌟 We’re excited to attend this event alongside Fox Valley Park District! Join us at Prisco Community Center this Saturday to explore all that the Park District has to offer, including programs and services from FVSRA.

Our partnership helps connect residents of this community and all of our member agencies to inclusive recreation opportunities that support individuals of all ability levels. More information below!

🦊Come see what the Fox Valley Park District has to offer at our free Open House at Prisco Community Center on Feb. 21! Meet our friendly team, explore our programs, and find the perfect activities for you and your family. Whether you’re a long-time resident or new to the area, this is a great opportunity to connect, ask questions, and discover something new!

Learn more: https://ow.ly/aQfz50YbRoR

02/18/2026

🪇 The BBQ & Basket Raffle Fiesta has grown into one of FVSRA’s most established and well-attended community fundraising events, with a track record of strong participation, consistent promotion, and meaningful local partnerships.

We invite you to help us accomplish our mission to enrich the lives of individuals with disabilities. By becoming a sponsor, you are promoting to your customers that ALL individuals benefit from recreation and leisure resulting in enriched lives.

Sponsorship opportunities for the 2026 BBQ & Basket Raffle Fiesta are now available! Packages are designed to offer varying levels of visibility and engagement for organizations interested in aligning with a long-standing community event and FVSRA’s mission of inclusive recreation.

➡️ View available sponsorship packages for the 2026 event here: https://bit.ly/BBQFiestaSponsors

02/16/2026

❄️ And while we celebrate the success of the FVSRA team at Winter Games, check out this article published with quotes from athlete Dusty Dickens and coaches Rania Samawi and Kylie Winsor!

GALENA, Ill. — A buzz among the athletes seemed to spread as skiers donned competition bibs and readied their skis for the slopes.