DIGITAL MAGAZINE VOL. 7 DECEMBER 2023
Morgan’s Wonderland Closed to Build New 2024 Attracions
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Halloween Event Recap
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Hearts of Gold Call for Nominations
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Townhall Meeting About Morgan’s Hotel
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Morgan’s Rebrand
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Morgan’s MAC 1 Year Anniversary
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Morgan’s Salon Coming Soon!
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Workforce Inclusion Network
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Morgan’s Sports Updates
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Register for Snowball Walk, Run, Roll, Stroll
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Inclusion Makes the Season Brighter
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Community Outreach
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Morgan’s Camp Updates
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Closed for Construction to Build New 2024 Attractions! Big things are happening at Morgan’s Wonderland! Right now, demolition is underway to make room for new, exciting attractions coming in 2024! The Off-Road Adventure is being removed, along with several areas in Sensory Village, to make way for Jette’s Wonder Bikes and the 4D Magic Cinema. The 6-million dollar expansion will also include Rocket’s Skyflight Adventure, a zipline over the beautiful lake, and Pirate Island Cruises, which will give guests a boat tour around the lake.
For a sneak peek at what’s coming in 2024,
CLICK HERE
Purchase your pass by December 31st for a bargain price of $50. In January, prices will increase. With all the new attractions, you certainly don’t want to miss out on this deal. There’s so much more to explore in 2024!
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CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS TODAY!
Marks the Perfect Ending to 2023 Season at Morgan’s Wonderland! Our last event of 2023 was a spooktacular success! The “More Delightful than Frightful” Halloween celebration once again collected canned goods for the San Antonio Food Bank. Our guests didn’t disappoint with their creative costumes and contagious energy. A big thank you to everyone who took part in the final event of the season.
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TO MAKE A NOMINATION, CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER 5
Morgan’s Inclusion Initiative Has Rebranded to Morgan’s Morgan’s Inclusion Initiative, the nonprofit umbrella organization that coordinates planning, fundraising and communications for world-renowned Morgan’s Wonderland theme park and related ventures in pursuit of a more-inclusive world, is changing and streamlining its name to simply “Morgan’s.” As a result, all of the organization’s Ultra-Accessible™, fully-inclusive endeavors in existence – and those to come – will be consistent in proclaiming the name Morgan’s. These include Morgan’s Wonderland, Morgan’s Inspiration Island splash park, Morgan’s Sports complex, Morgan’s Camp (that offers a summercamp-like experience year-round) and Morgan’s MAC (Multi-Assistance Center), which provides coordinated medical and non-medical assistance to children and adults with special needs.
New name, new look with the same mission and same vision!
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The MAC’s 1 Year Anniversary When Morgan’s MAC first opened its doors a year ago, we never envisioned the impact that we would have on our community. We had hopes of empowering our community and expanding Morgan’s family but never envisioned the return coming back to us tenfold. During our first year, we’ve onboarded 3,243 MAC Members from over 48 counties across Texas and ranging from 0-100 years old. From the early years to the golden age of life, we have members that span the entire umbrella of life. What does this mean for us? It means we’ve got a huge responsibility to take care of our Members every step of the way. People come to us from all walks of life and we’re in the business of inclusion.
Meet Two of Our MAC Ambassadors, Leah Meyer and Albert Estrada
Morgan’s Salon At Morgan’s Salon, we are improving lives and delivering innovative salon services for individuals with special needs and disabilities. Morgan’s stylists value your individual sensory sensitive needs by recognizing the person before the service, never forcing, or restraining, and taking the pressures of timing away as you go through your experience of self-care. While receiving your service, you will have our complete support for all sensorysensitive requests. Our stylist will get to know you with a thorough complimentary consultation, then create with our artistry to deliver the best results. Come as you are and leave feeling empowered, included, and educated in all we do here at Morgan’s Salon. Soft Opening of Morgan’s Salon starting November 6th through mid-January, Monday-Friday, 8:30-4:30 PM. Salon hours are subject to change. The Grand Opening to the community will be on January 17, 2024.
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The goal of the WIN is to collaboratively support the existing employment system for people with disabilities, while simultaneously improving the overall quality of access and support for individuals with disabilities, employers, and employment providers. We hope to increase employment outcomes for people with disabilities and diversify employment opportunities available to individuals with disabilities. It is our foremost commitment to promote a culture of diversity and inclusivity in the workplace for individuals with disabilities. Together we will embrace diversity and provide equal opportunities to contribute and thrive in our communities. Soft opening of services will be available to our MAC Members on December 11th with a Grand Opening on January 22, 2024. Services range from benefits counseling, job exploration, interview preparation, and resume writing.
EVENT SPOTLIGHT On October 16, The MAC’s WIN program hosted its inaugural Employment Luncheon, recognizing Christus Santa Rosa Hospital Alamo Heights, San Antonio Community Resource Directory (SACRD), H-E-B, and Toyotetsu (auto parts manufacturer), as a testament to the outstanding efforts their team put forth in advancing disability inclusion. Their dedication to creating an inclusive workplace, their insights, and their experiences serve as an inspiring example for other employers. 8
Junior Wheelchair Basketball Our South Texas Regional Adaptive and Para Sports Junior Wheelchair Basketball Program had another amazing season competing in 4 tournaments across Texas. This program consists of a prep team for ages 6 – 13 years old and a varsity team for kids 13 – 17 years old. This program is focused on building not only basketball skills but also character and coachability on and off the court. We hope and dream of attending the National Wheelchair Basketball Association Nationals in early 2024.
Inclusive Sports Programming Morgan’s Sports offered Inclusive basketball and soccer through our collaboration with the Spurs. The Spurs Inclusive Sports leagues are geared towards supporting our friends with intellectual and developmental disabilities ages 9 – 20 years old.
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Amputee Adaptive Sports Expo Morgan’s Sports has partnered with Wiggle Your Toes and the San Antonio Amputee Foundation to support our friends with limb loss and limb differences to show what is available and create a safe space to try new things. This includes offering a mobility clinic with practitioners and therapists to get fitted for a running l eg if appropriate, as well as different adaptive sports and recreation opportunities to explore.
2024 Boccia United States National and Development Team BC3 Morgan's Wonderland STRAPS Program is the only adaptive wheelchair sports program to have 3 athletes on the 2024 Boccia United States National Team (Dan Castillo BC3 and Angelina Randez BC3 Ramp Operator) and National Developmental Team Wyatt Struxness (BC1)! Not pictured: National Team member, Angelina Randez, BC3 Ramp Operator for Dan Castillo!
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Register for Snowball ... Run, Walk, Roll, or Stroll There is Still Time to Register! Morgan’s Wonderland invites you to celebrate accessibility and inclusion at the Snowball Run, Walk, Roll or Stroll 5K/1K on Saturday, December 16, 2023.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!
Makes the Season Bright This Holiday Season, Give the Gift of Inclusion! $25 - Supports Free Participation in Morgan’s Sports Programming $50 - Supports Free Admission at Morgan’s Wonderland $100 - Supports Inclusive Community Education $250 - Supports Free Camp Weekend Experience at Morgan’s Camp $1000 - Supports Free Specialized Navigation at Morgan’s MAC
Morgan’s Brings JOY to Our Friends of All Abilities SCAN OR CLICK TO DONATE NOW! 11
Community Outreach Club Morgan Pumpkin Decorating Club Morgan ended the year on a great note as we all came together to paint pumpkins! This is the third year of pumpkin painting and everyone had a great time sharing stories. We all loved hearing about each other’s favorite Halloween costumes and admiring the artistic creations of all our Club Morgan pals!
LEARN MORE ABOUT CLUB MORGAN
Santa Inclusion Training It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas back in August as we welcomed the Lone Star Santas for our annual Inclusive Santa Training. Santa’s helpers, Mrs. Clauses, and Elves from all across Texas have participated in this much anticipated yearly event! We love hearing the inspiring holiday stories from everyone as we learn about inclusion and kindness - which is all part of the Spirit of Christmas. Graduates of Inclusive Santa Training receive a Certificate and an exclusive pin graced with a Santa Hat and Butterfly to wear as they spread Holiday Cheer across Texas!
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Join Our Morgan’s Camp Team! Are you looking for a unique seasonal position? Do you love spending your free time in nature? Do you have a sense of adventure and a heart for service? Are you passionate about creating adventures for people of all abilities? Are you itching to make a difference? If you answered yes to any of the above then we’re looking for special people like YOU to join our growing team! Apply today and bring your special talents to Morgan’s Camp!
CLICK HERE TO APPLY NOW!
Sponsor-A-Horse Love horses and want to get involved with Morgan's Camp? Check out our Sponsor-A-Horse program! Funds provided to our Sponsor-A-Horse program help cover the cost of feed, medical care, grooming, and much more for a member of our equine herd! Head to our website to view all horses available for sponsoring and submit your interest form today.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!
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Working at Morgan’s Camp Has Been a Blessing for Me & My Son, Cody A letter from a Morgan’s Camp staff member whose son will now be a camper with one of our Partner Camps: Working at Morgan’s Camp has been such a blessing to me. I was originally hired on a part-time position, helping with the horses. After Miss Nickol saw my love for all creatures, she asked if I could work part-time in nature. Of course, I said yes, my dream retirement job! After working at Morgan’s Camp for a year, Miss Nickol suggested, that I should check into my son, Cody, volunteering at Morgan’s Camp, as I’d expressed wanting to get him more involved in the community. I reached out to Torye Gleitz, who immediately said he would be very welcome. Cody was diagnosed at the age of 13, with a deletion in his 22 chromosome, he is now 28. When he was diagnosed, there were no others to compare to. He has been very active and outgoing throughout his teenage and adult years. Cody has struggled with developmental delays, obsessive-compulsive disorders as well as some physical issues. Cody has been volunteering at Morgan’s, since September. He has helped me with nature and has become quite the talker when campers and families come to visit us. This past weekend, Camp 22q Texas came to Morgan‘s camp. How amazing it was to meet other families with the 22q deletion. Cody said it made him feel good to share his disabilities with others. I was so proud to watch him interact with families and share information about our nature center and all the wonderful creatures. Suzi Beall Shaw, president of 22q Texas, made sure we stayed for later activities so Cody could meet other young adults, and shared information with me so that we could become more involved with the 22q Texas Organization. Working at Morgan’s Camp has truly been one of the biggest blessings for both me and my son Cody. Morgan’s gives families the opportunity to experience inclusion, that the outside world tends to forget, and that our kids need and deserve. I look forward to next year’s 22q Camp Texas, as we will be among the campers!
Vicki Shutt 14