Flackville IRA Residents Complete 10 5K Races in 2022, Hoping for 12 or More in 2023

HEUVELTON – As the calendar turns from 2022 to 2023 millions of people all around the world will be setting goals for the New Year with varying rates of success.

While the goal set by program members residing at the Flackville IRA in Heuvelton wasn’t technically a New Year’s Resolution, given it wasn’t set until five months into the year when they participated in United Helpers’ annual Mental Health Awareness Walk, it was a long-term goal successfully completed.

“The program members had such a great time,” said Program Leader Whitney Atkins, referring to the first walk. “They loved everything about the day. Getting outside, the fresh air, the sunshine, seeing their friends from the other houses, interacting with people from the community, and of course the walk, which in this case took them along them through a wooded nature trail in Canton. 

As they were riding back to the house, Ms. Atkins said she could hear program members talking amongst themselves about how they would like to do that again. Following a brief “family meeting,” she said the goal was set of completing 10 such events before the end of the calendar year.

The next walk came just a few weeks later, followed by another, and another, and before long program members had become local celebrities.

“We were able to get involved in so many different communities, meet new people, and see familiar faces at each event,” Ms. Atkins said. “Program members were often treated as celebrities when crossing the finish line. The cheers they received down the home stretch of each ‘race’ were right out of a Hollywood movie.”

 The completion of the goal, Ms. Atkins said, would not have been possible if not for the staff at the Flackville IRA, who in many instances came in on days off to accompany program members to these events.

“Staff could tell how much this meant to the residents, and as we were getting close to completing the goal, I could tell it really meant something to them too,” she said. “This past year was one we’ll never forget, but we’re already talking about trying to do at least 12 races in 2023.”

Mrs. Atkins said the goal of completing 10 5K races took them to communities across the North Country including Canton, Waddington, Lisbon, Rensselaer Falls, Heuvelton, Ogdensburg, Hammond, and even Sackets Harbor for a fall-themed event at Old MacDonald’s Farm.

Six program members from the home completed all 10 events, including Mary Fenimore, Joey Friot, Billy Bartlett, Thelma Swinyer, Sherry Forsythe, and Charlie Sarkin. Tammy Donnelly completed seven of the races. Two other program members whose names cannot be published also participated.

Staff involved included Mrs. Atkins, as well as Assistant Program Leader Wendy Baker, and Direct Support Professionals, Jess Brown, April Streeter, Jenn Davison, Brook Duprey, Renee Hooper, Susan Hooper, Pat Flagg, and Beth Bishop.

IRAs are homes for people with developmental disabilities. Each home is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. United Helpers currently operates 11 such homes in communities across St. Lawrence County.

Billy Bartlett is all smiles upon completing his 10^th 5K event of the 2022 calendar year. Program members at the Flackville IRA in Heuvelton set a goal of completing 10 such events during the course of the year and were able to do so, starting with the United Helpers Mental Health Awareness Walk in Canton and wrapping up with Heuvelton’s Gobble Gallop. Celebrating the accomplishment with Mr. Bartlett is Flackville IRA Program Leader Whitney Atkins.