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Group cupcake decorating effort (from left to right): Melanie Quest, Brady Sillman, staff member, Katie Hawk, baker and decorator at Cupcake Island, Sarah Gardels, Jon Purcell, staff member and Ben Herink. |
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Chris Welshinger, shows off his cupcake. |
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David Pescisico (left) decorates a cupcake like Big Bird with the help of Justin Heinen, staff member. |
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Sam Bates, staff member, helps Ricky Eppenbaugh decorate a cupcake. |
Her parents, Jim and Marlene Langdon, also look forward to it because it gives them a few hours of needed rest.
Abby — who has a developmental disability — has participated in Munroe-Meyer Institute programs since she was about 12 years old. Private donations and grants fund recreational programs for adults with developmental disabilities.
MMI sponsors supervised activities throughout the year, including concerts, arts and crafts, swimming, biking, day and overnight trips, concerts, sporting events, movies and bowling and dining experiences.
“The programs get her out of the house. She looks forward to it. She’s a very social so it’s good for her,” Marlene Langdon said. “It also gives us a chance to go out to eat. She’s pretty dependent. We don’t have to worry about her when we leave her at MMI.”
Recently, adults such as the Langdon’s had the chance to participate in several Thursday night activities at MMI, including cupcake decorating, compliments of Cupcake Island. Brian LeFebvre, the son of Ed LeFebvre, who owns Cupcake Island, works at MMI in the adult recreational therapy program.
MMI serves about 125 adults in its recreational program each year.