An occupational therapist assistant from School District Five has been awarded a $30,000 grant from Leo’s Pride Foundation

Lexington-Richland School District Five Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Jordan Nelson was recently awarded a $30,000 grant from Leo’s Pride Foundation.

“I just want to thank Leo and his family for this opportunity to have a fully funded sensory room at Lake Murray Elementary School (LMES),” Nelson said.  “It’s going to mean so much to our kids and to our staff and I am so grateful for the supports that the Leo’s Pride Foundation has provided. I know that it will be an inclusive space for years to come!”

Leo’s Pride Foundation began as a simple prayer page after Leo Bugenske was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. After overwhelming community support the Leo’s Pride Foundation was officially born and continues to promote inclusion in our community by advocating for a place where ALL children and adults can play together regardless of ability.

“Leo’s Pride Foundation has two guiding principles in how we hope to impact our community: Build an Inclusive Community & Love Every One,” Adam Bugenske said, Leo’s father and co-founder of Leo’s Pride Foundation. “Jordan’s heart for her students and vision for creating a space that meets the unique needs of the exceptional students at LMES aligns perfectly. It is our honor to fully fund this project through a grant made possible by the love and financial contributions of this community.”

Nelson adds that having a sensory room will allow every student at Lake Murray Elementary School to have a place where they can learn how to regulate their emotions.

“Our sensory room will give kids a space where they can go and have their needs met and be regulated throughout the day to better access their education. We will also be educating parents and teachers on what sensory regulation looks like and how we can use these tools at a school level to get kids emotionally where they need to be,” Nelson said.

Leo’s Pride Foundation is able to fund grants to District Five special needs teachers and their classrooms directly from their Go Leo Halloween 5k. To learn more or to make a donation you can visit https://www.leospride.org/.