Gov. Palin praises familes of special needs children in Alabama

"A good part of America shines through in times like this"
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Sarah Palin told an Alabama audience Tuesday that the challenges of raising a special needs child takes a particular kind of courage, and that was a lesson that she had to learn firsthand:

Palin, the 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate, mentioned politics, such as the need for energy and financial independence and smaller government, when she addressed a fundraiser for the Exceptional Foundation of Baldwin County.

Much of her speech, however, centered on raising her youngest son, Trig, who has Down syndrome.

The Exceptional Foundation was established to help special needs children and adults in southwest Alabama. Many in the audience Tuesday night in the ballroom of the Marriott Grand Hotel have family members with conditions such as Trig’s.

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Palin said work by groups, such as the Exceptional Foundation, that assist special needs children and adults are a blessing to people such as herself, who need help when faced with a difficult challenge.

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Palin praised efforts to help Alabama communities hit by tornadoes last week.

"In those parts that were touched tragically by these storms and tornadoes, we want these folks to know that they are not alone in this time," she said. "Americans come together in moments like this to help support and rebuild, and a good part of America shines through in times like this."

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According to WKRG-TV, Gov. Palin told the audience that she and her husband Todd would be meeting with tornado survivors Wednesday in Birmingham. Turns out she and Todd joined other Samaritan's Purse volunteers assisting the victims of the recent tornadoes which caused so much devastation in the state.

- JP

Sarah Palin speaks tonight at Alabama fundraiser

"It looks like we’re going to have a good crowd."
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Gov. Palin is scheduled to make her fourth speaking appearance in the state of Alabama tonight. The fundraiser for the Exceptional Foundation of Baldwin County is being held at the Marriott Grand Hotel in Point Clear:

The event is the first time that the 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate has addressed an audience in the Mobile Bay area, according to organizers.

"We’re looking forward to it," Craig Dahle, one of the Exceptional Foundation organizers said Monday. "It’s going well. We don’t have quite the crowd that we might have hoped for, but it looks like we’re going to have a good crowd."

Tickets for the event are still available, Dahle said. The price of tickets is $600 each. He said tickets can be purchased at the event or by calling 251-990-2271.

The evening event gets underway with a cocktail hour at 6PM local time, followed by a 7:15 PM dinner. Gov. Palin's address should begin at 8PM, followed by a question and answer session.

- JP

Tickets for May fundraiser with Sarah Palin now on sale in Alabama

"She is especially well qualified to speak at this event. "
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Organizers of the May 3 Exceptional Foundation fundraiser featuring Gov. Palin as keynote speaker say that tickets for the event are now on sale, according to a report by Guy Busby in Mobile, Alabama's Press-Register:

Individual tickets for the event at the Marriott Grand Hotel in Point Clear will be $600. Sponsors tables seating 10 people will also be available for $15,000 and $10,000, organizers said. Photo opportunities with Palin will be available for purchasers of sponsors tables.

Money raised by the event will go to the Exceptional Foundation of Baldwin County. The foundation is working to meet the social and recreational needs of mentally and physically challenged individuals in south Alabama. The group’s goal is to provide daily programs for children 5 and older, and adults. Planned activities include arts and crafts, team sports, exercise classes, social events and music.

"We’re really excited that Governor Palin has accepted our invitation to visit Baldwin County," Foundation President Bob Callahan Sr. said. "She is especially well qualified to speak at this event. As a mother herself of a child with Down syndrome, she can readily relate to the foundation’s mission and goals, as well as the exceptional participants and their families. She has stated repeatedly that the special needs individuals are near and dear to her heart."

For ticket information, call the foundation at 251-990-2271. The organization’s status as a nonprofit has been applied for and is pending.

- JP

Sarah Palin to visit south Alabama for May fundraiser

Organization benefits those with special needs
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The Mobile Press-Register's Guy Busby reports that Gov. Palin will speak at a charitable fundraiser in May for The Exceptional Foundation in Alabama's Mobile Bay area:

The foundation is being established to help special needs children and adults in Baldwin County, Bob Callahan Sr., foundation board president, said. Palin, whose son Trig was born with Down syndrome, agreed to speak after being contacted, he said.

"This is something that is near and dear to her heart — children and adults with special needs — and that’s what brought her down here," Callahan said. "We were thrilled. This is something that is really awesome."

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When efforts began to raise money for a building, staffing, activities and other needs, supporters decided to approach Palin about speaking, Craig Dahle, Callahan’s son-in-law and another of the group’s organizers, said.

"She was the logical person to kick start this with her background," Dahle, who has a 19-year-old son with Down syndrome, said.

Palin has spoken at events in Birmingham and Montgomery, but has never made a public appearance in south Alabama, Callahan said.

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The event is scheduled for May 3 it the ballroom of the Marriott Grand Hotel in Point Clear. The price of the 600 tickets which should be available and other details for the fundraising dinner are yet to be announced.