By LANA CLIFTON
According to its mission statement, Parents Educating Arkansas about Children with Epilepsy (PEACE) is a non profit organization seeking to educate and reach out to people of Arkansas about children who have epilepsy and other forms of seizure disorders.
On Saturday, Oct. 24, the organization will hold its third annual Saturday Cowboy Camp from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The event will be hosted by Harmony in Hooves, a therapeutic riding center located at 1300 Jimmy Lane, off of Samples Road in the Salem area of Saline County.[more]
Cowboy Camp is open to the public. Admission is $5 for adults and children over 5 years old. Children 5 and under will be admitted for free. The admission includes activities, entertainment and food.
Activities scheduled to be available at the event include horse rides, hay rides and a petting zoo. Live music from Lack of Drama Band, Rebecca Rohlman and Arkansas Fiddlers Association will serve as entertainment. Educational booths, vendor and craft booths and other games and activities will also be available.
To raise money for the organization, a silent auction will be held featuring a CD autographed by Tracy Byrd, artwork, phone and service from Cricket Communications, a puppy from Jimani Kennels, an autographed Willie Nelson album and autographed gloves signed by Sylvester Stalone from “Rocky.”
According to Tina Alexander, founder of PEACE, proceeds from this event and other fundraisers will help fund a fishing derby for autism and epilepsy that is held every June and will also go toward purchases of sleep-safe pillows and books for parents of children with epilepsy.
“Our mission is to provide information and educate about epilepsy,” she said.
Alexander said door prizes will be given away at the Cowboy Camp, and the first 100 children 10 and under will receive a free cowboy hat and bandanna set.
Alexander said past Cowboy Camps have averaged around 300 people, but she is hoping for 500 this year.
Sponsors for the event include Petit-Jean Meats, Souter Construction Company, Aristotle, Cricket Communications and Jimani Kennels.
PEACE is a statewide organization. More information about the Cowboy Camp and other events may be obtained at www.peaceinark.com.
November is Arkansas Epilepsy Awareness Month and Nov. 5 is Arkansas Epilepsy Education and Awareness Day.
