Community members are invited to The Vibe, an annual celebration and fundraiser to enhance the City of Kentwood’s adaptive recreation programs, on Thursday, Sept. 8.
This year’s event will be held 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE. It will include food and cocktails, live music by the Moonshot Band, a silent auction, adaptive equipment displays and yard games.
The evening will also feature guest speaker Lee “Coach” Montgomery, a longtime coach and athlete of wheelchair and adaptive sports, who will share more about his experience in both roles.
Montgomery has medaled in the Paralympics, traveled the world and played a range of different sports, including sit volleyball, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair tennis. He won a gold medal for wheelchair basketball in 1990 and in 1993 was recognized as one of the top 10 wheelchair tennis players in the U.S. His coaching career began in 1988 with Kentwood Parks and Recreation, where he led the junior wheelchair basketball team for several years. He was inducted into the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame in 2006 and the National Wheelchair Basketball Association Hall of Fame in 2015.
“Coach Lee has long been a champion for adaptive sports and recreation and athletes of all abilities, and we’re excited for him to join us at this year’s event,” said Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director. “We welcome the community to join us to learn more about his story and the value of inclusive recreational opportunities.”
Tickets for the casual-attire event are $40 per person. They can be purchased online at KentwoodVibe.com or by calling 616.656.5270.
Funds raised at this year’s event will go toward purchasing new equipment for Kentwood’s many adaptive programs. These offerings include archery, cycling club, boccia league, bowling, canoeing, downhill skiing, golf league, leisure club, kayaking, rock climbing, track and field clinics, pickleball, wake boarding and waterskiing, along with dances and other social events.
“We have a wide variety of adaptive recreation programs that meet the interests of all individuals – from social opportunities like leisure club to sensational activities like waterskiing,” said Ann Przybysz, Kentwood’s recreation program coordinator. “These programs give individuals an opportunity to connect and experience the benefits that come with recreational activities, including a sense of camaraderie, improved confidence and new skills.”
The Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department provides Michigan’s most comprehensive adaptive recreation programming in partnership with community partners, including Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan, Hope Network, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital and dozens of volunteers.
Programs are open to individuals of all abilities in Kentwood and beyond. To learn about current offerings, visit kentwood.us/adaptive.
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