SPANISH FORT, Ala.—When Sue Bender heard about plans to raise money for a special-needs playground on Spanish Fort Middle School’s campus, the Project Reach teacher was beyond thrilled.

“This is just amazing, and it shows a total commitment to our program and that the administration believes in what we’re doing,” Bender said.

Project Reach is a comprehensive program for children with autism and related communication disorders that prohibit their successful participation in the general education program. The SFMS program serves middle-school students from across Baldwin County.

Principal Craig Ross — who is training for a Nov. 28 Ironman triathlon in Cozumel, Mexico — has organized a junior version of the triple-event competition, and SFMS students have been raising money while in training. Proceeds from the Saturday event at the Daphne YMCA, dubbed “Going the Distance for Kids,” will go toward construction of a special-needs playground, but the event is open to all children from ages 8 to 15.

“Although a lot of our students go to P.E., it can be overwhelming for them with the noise, especially for the students with extreme sensory sensitivity,” Bender said.

The special-needs playground, however, will help those students “get their energy out and help them focus better,” she said.

Not only does it give the autistic and multi-disabled students their own place to go, but the equipment will be tailored specifically to their needs to maximize the development of gross motor skills.

Ross said the price for special-needs playgrounds typically runs between $50,000 and $60,000.

Bender, who is touched by the outpouring of support the event is receiving, said Project Reach classrooms focus on a lot of the same academic skills as mainstream classrooms, but a significant amount of time is devoted to honing language and social skills.

The majority of her students — six — remain in her classroom all day long, but Bender said several attend traditional classes throughout the day while some of her highest functioning students attend traditional classes all day and only seek refuge in her classroom when they become overwhelmed.

“They know they can always come in here and calm down and have somebody to talk to,” Bender said.   

Ironman Jr. Youth Triathlon

Who: Any child, age 8-15

When: 8 a.m. Saturday

Where: Daphne YMCA

Why: To help raise funds for the middle school special-needs children of Baldwin County. Proceeds will be used to build a playground for these students.

Distances: 50-yard swim; 3-mile bike ride; 1-mile run

Entry fee: $20 (please make check payable to Spanish Fort Middle School)

Entry forms: Available at the SFMS front desk or at www.spanishfortmiddle.com.

Completed forms and entry fees can be submitted to Spanish Fort Middle School,

33899 Jimmy Faulkner Drive, Spanish Fort, AL 36527