Members of the Special Needs Choir of Temecula attended All Abilities Night. (Photo by Action Captures Media)
Families gathered at Lake Elsinore Storm Stadium on Tuesday for All Abilities Night, a sensory-friendly event built to make the ballpark more accessible for people with disabilities and their families.
The event offered a quieter environment, sensory kits, and resource tables set up throughout the stadium. Before the first pitch, participants took the field for inclusive activities, including throwing pitches to a Storm catcher and individuals with disabilities performing the national anthem. ASL interpreters were also at the game in designated sections.
“We really just wanted to bring the community together to provide an opportunity for families who have kids with special needs or adults with special needs to have a place to get resources while enjoying a game,” said Michael Rinehart, Menifee Community Services coordinator.
The event was put together by a local partnership that included the Rotary Club of Menifee, the City of Menifee Community Services Department, Menifee Police Department, and the Lake Elsinore Storm.
“There used to be something similar to this event prior to COVID,” said Stacy Hartfiel, president of the Menifee Rotary Club. “Last year’s president, George Mills, said we should do it again. So he started a committee last year and everyone really got enthused about it. Now we’ve made it an annual event, and this supports not only Menifee, but the entire Southwest region.”
Resource tables offered everything from local programs to hands-on support, with many families stopping to ask questions or pick up materials.
“We really hope that everybody can find something that can be useful,” Rinehart said.
“There are very few things like this event to highlight the abilities and show all the services and all the people that surround this community,” said Julie Madziarczyk, president and founder of the disABILITY Sports Foundation. “This event is much larger than it was last year, so I’m really happy to be here.”
For groups like the disABILITY Sports Foundation, the event is a chance to connect with families who may not already know what’s available.
We started as a mission to bring more adaptive sports to the Inland Empire because we are in an area that has limited recreational opportunities,” Madziarczyk said. “There are pockets of programs, but not a whole lot. So, we’re trying to fill that gap.”
Organizers said the impact goes beyond just one night at the stadium.
“Families that come to these events, they really see that people care about them,” Rinehart said. “We’ve seen a lot of positive feedback from families who enjoy being able to get out and do things without having to worry about some of those limitations.”
For many, the night was also about feeling included in a space they’re not always fully represented in.
“It shows that the community is larger than people expect it to be and that we are not something to be pushed out into the corner,” Madziarczyk said. “We need to be out in public. We need to be included with everybody else.”
Menifee Community Services also runs its Mighty Me program, which offers free activities for children and adults with disabilities, giving families another way to stay connected beyond events like this. The program includes activities like game nights, crafts and performing arts opportunities designed for a range of abilities and interests.
Mighty Me meets monthly, while All Abilities night is expected to continue as an annual event.
“This type of event gives families a chance to come together and enjoy a ballgame they may not be able to attend every day,” Hartfiel said.
