The weather for May 31, 2025 was reported as rain. For many of us that was cause for concern. Yet as the day progressed the sun came out, and it didn’t matter what people thought and as the song goes “Everybody clap your hands.” Yes,  it was THE ANNUAL CENTRAL PARK CHALLENGE 2025.

It was cloudy, and then by 10am Sun came out Mother Nature was on the people’s side. To add to that, the day was a great day to see friends! Hugs and kisses everywhere! Venders all over, even coming far as California! Games for the kids, face painting, and free giveaways. Children participating in the races! Everyone got a medal! No one got hurt! WOW!

Eyewitness News Anchor Bill Ritter comes every year poses for pictures, and it almost seems he’s having more fun than everybody. This year Ritter stated “This is the one event that brings pride and joy to everyone. It’s an event every year I look forward to! That day Bill bought a surprise guest -- Reporter Geraldo Rivera. Rivera is the reporter who exposed the incredible brutality suffered by the disabled at Willowbrook back in  the 1970’s. Rivera declared, “Let it be known, we are all human beings! We have a right to fight back and be heard!”

Back to this year’s event...One of the main highlights that day was fellow Self Advocate, Reporter for Newsletter, and former president  Janice McPhillips receiving an award for her outstanding work with People with Disabilities. That award was a victory for all Self Advocates! Janice thanked everyone, and she added “Being around YAI has been, and always be, great. Most importantly the people I’ve worked with still  are and will always be my friends God bless them”

At one point everyone’s favorite RED, WHTE, BLUE! CHEER NY went up!!! As one cheerleader stated, “It’s the one event we always look forward to.” Another cheerleader added “It’s the one event where we really connect with the people” They are so right! People danced with them “Doing the CHA CHA SLIDE! They also taught people how to do the cheer. They took pictures with people. Everything they did brought Cheer to everyone!

THAT WAS THE NAME OF THE TITLE, AND THAT DAY YAI CENTRAL PARK CHALLENGE SHINED WITH LOVE, AND RED, WHITE, AND BLUE! The only sad news is this. Now we must wait an entire year for it all to happen again.