FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – Survivor finalist and Florence native Chelsea Meissner joined families with special needs children Saturday morning to give back to the community.
The Spin-A-Fit is a 4 hour exercise class that was held inside the Florence Family YMCA to benefit Camp RAE.
April Michler and her daughter Gracie have been a part of Camp RAE four years.
Michler says her family adopted Gracie when she was four-years-old.
“She loves music and regardless of not being able to walk, she can dance in her chair and enjoy a lot of things other kids do,” said Michler.
Pee Dee residents founded Camp RAE in 2009 after recognizing the need for a summer program to provide therapy and educational interaction for non-mobile special needs children.
The kids who participate are wheelchair bound, with physical and mental challenges.
And giving them an opportunity to have a summer camp is what motivates people to support to the event.
“I went to high school and college here. I don’t get back too often but this is the one time of the year that I do try to get back and show support,” mentioned Meissner.
Michler says she has noticed a difference in Grace since moving to the Florence area.
“I have seen her say words more. I have seen her come home and be able to do things that she normally doesn’t do,” Michler added.
“You know every time you come back you see a lot of the same kids and you see their growth. They love to watch everyone sweat their butts off and ya know they get to sit there and smile and laugh at us,” said Meissner.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons was also supposed to be in attendance Saturday but he didn’t get a chance to make it due to having flight problems.
Camp RAE will host their 3rd annual talent show on July 21st at Cavalry Baptist Church in Florence.
