Brookland, AR — (JonesboroRightNow.com) — March 4, 2025 — A sensory-friendly egg hunt for special needs children and adults in April will raise funds for Zachary’s Sensory Gym, which aims to be northeast Arkansas’s first sensory gym.
This event will be April 5 from 9-11 a.m. at Grandslam Entertainment, located at 50 County Road 792 in Brookland, and feature inflatables and pictures with the Easter Bunny.
Zachary’s Sensory Gym founder Vickie Lewis, who has been working on the project for five years, said it’s the gym’s third fundraiser so far.
“This one is going to be for special needs kids and adults only,” she said. “This is going to give us a chance to meet them in the community and with their families. So, it’s something that’s going to be fun for them and I’m looking forward to it.”
She added there are only 50 tickets available for the event, so participants must reserve their tickets in advance.
Tickets are $25 per individual or $45 for two and $20 for each additional adult or child. Only cash payments will be accepted. For more information or to purchase tickets contact Lewis at 870-530-7871.
“It’s going to be fun for them and we’re going to be able to tell the parents what we’re doing out here and hopefully find some more sponsors and get more support because, so far, we’re just not getting the support we need,” Lewis said. “I don’t know if the special needs parents are getting the information because they live a very isolated life and people don’t realize that, but we do.”
Lewis helps her daughter take care of her special needs grandson, 20-year-old Zachary Harper, who is the inspiration behind the gym. Harper was two years old when he was diagnosed with autism. He is also nonverbal and has epilepsy, a sensory processing disorder, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
“We’re just working as hard as we can out here because you know we’ve got to have a lot of fundraisers to get that building,” Lewis said. “I think I got a better chance once I have that tax exempt 501(c)(3). That’ll help.”
The gym is still not officially registered as a nonprofit, Lewis said, as the IRS has not yet granted her the tax-exempt status. She expects to have the status by the end of the summer.
Lewis said this fundraiser will also be used to help fund a future gala, complete with speakers, live music and appetizers, in order to raise awareness and get more sponsors and donations for the gym itself.
“I know God’s with me and I’m on a mission and I’m not going to give up at all,” Lewis said. “I found the building that’s perfect for our gym. It’s been sitting empty for a long time. We have to keep fundraising until we get out nonprofit status because we can’t write grants until we do. So I’m hoping that the gala will open up a lot of doors for some sponsors.”