About TASK
Team Activities for Special Kids (TASK) is a nonprofit 501(c)3, year-round instructional sports program that provides athletic and social opportunities to kids with special needs. The purpose of the program is to help build self-esteem and skills in children with special needs. Each athlete receives a team t-shirt and trophy upon completion of the sport.
TASK began in the summer of 1996 with a tee ball program involving 26 athletes with special physical and/or mental needs. Since then we've evolved into a year-round sports program and currently offer a variety of sports to over 800 athletes.
Click here to learn specific details about each activity.
Group sports: basketball, outdoor soccer, tee ball, coach-pitch softball, modified softball, floor hockey, volleyball, kickball
Individual sports: bowling, golf, swimming, tennis, karate, fitness club
Other social and recreational activities: cooking, arts & crafts, dance, kids in motion, recreation night, TASK Kids' Club (social activities, 12 and under), Social Club (13 and older), one-week summer day camp (focus on recreational activities)
Who We Are
TASK is run by a group of dedicated volunteers from a variety of backgrounds including classroom teachers, special education teachers, adaptive physical education teachers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech/language pathologists, high school students, college students and parents.
With so much expertise in a variety of specialties, these volunteers are able to give the athletes a wide range of support to help them become successful. So far, hundreds volunteers have contributed their unique talents and energy to make the TASK program a success.
Where We Play
Since 1996, TASK activities took place at different locations across South and West St. Louis County where we rented facilities on an as-needed basis. In February 2012, we achieved a major milestone when we purchased 11.5 acres in Fenton. See photos. This location will be the consistent location we have been working so hard to achieve. The TASK Facility will host all activities, fundraisers and gibe us plenty of rooms to expand our current programming. The site will include a regulation size soccer field, 2 softball fields, a gymnasium with 2 basketball courts, a fitness center, art studio, game room, classrooms, walking track, fishing pond and much much more. We are currently engaged in a capital campaign to raise the money to complete these phases of development.
Also, as our athletes get older, it seems there are fewer and fewer opportunities for adults with special needs to socialize and stay fit in a safe accepting environment. This is another need we could fill with a new facility.
Click here to learn more about our capital campaign.
Support for Parents
Having a child with special needs affects every member of the family. One of the most valuable aspects of TASK is the network of support it provides for the parents and siblings of children with special needs. Parents are able to discuss concerns, share ideas and identify with other parents in similar or not-so-similar situations.
Other Activities & Fundraisers
In 1998, TASK held its first TASK Banquet honoring athletes, volunteers and supporters. It's now an annual event. We share a great meal, athletes are presented with medals, and volunteers and supporters are recognized with tokens of appreciation.
In 1999, TASK was the nonprofit organization chosen to help Spiritas Construction Company hand out the bricks and seats from the old St. Louis Arena.
We've been recognized several times by the St. Louis Cardinals and have been able to take athletes to Cardinals games, be on the field and be a part of Tony LaRussa's Troop and Daryl Kyle's Kids.
The St. Louis Blues have also invited us to Blues games and to be a part of Chris Pronger's Pack. TASK has been spotlighted several times on KSDK and CCIN.
In 1998, its second year in existence, TASK was awarded the Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis' Outstanding Recreation Program. Other accolades include the 2005 Special School District Special Ambassador Award and the 2006 Mehlville School District Community Kindness Award.
In 2005, the TASK Director was recognized by Harlequin as the recipient of their "More than Words Award" in an international search.
In order to support our growing program, TASK has sponsored a variety of fundraisers. We've held raffles, worked Old Newsboys' Days, sold Westfield Works Wonders tickets, sold wrapping paper, created and sold our own cookbook, worked St. Louis Cardinal games, recycled old cell phones and sold entertainment books. We've also sponsored casino nights, golf tournaments, dinner dances and trivia nights.