Rotary Club of Hillcrest Hosts Picnic to Thank Teachers

The Rotary Club of Hillcrest, noon and Sunrise chapters, combined to host a picnic for special needs students and teachers at .

The annual event, which has been going on for more than 20 years, took place Tuesday at the Cleveland Metroparks North Chagrin Reservation. Students and teachers ate cheeseburgers, played baseball and listened to Rotary member Pastor Roger Korsten of Highland Sixth Presbyterian Church as he played his guitar and sang.

Event organizer Joe DeLibero said it started as a winter sledding party.

"Some of the teachers thought it was too cold in January, so we moved it to Februrary. Then we kept moving it back," he said.

"It's worked out much nicer," said teacher Diane Hunziker. "The children look forward to it. Some have come for several years now and they really enjoy it."

Hunziker said that since special needs teachers have the same students for years, they really grow attached to them.

"These children are so loving and giving," she said.

She added that teachers are grateful for what Rotary members do for them and the empathy they show for the children.

"We are just so appreciative that they do this for us," she said.

Rotary Club of Hillcrest Sunrise President Mike Johns Jr. said the picnic is a way to do something for the kids and the teachers who devote so many hours to the students.

"They (teachers) get a kick out of someone else taking care of them for a change," Johns said. "It's been a great thing for Rotarians as well. They get to mix with the kids."

DeLibero said he worked at a camp for children with cystic fibrosis and enjoys interacting with the kids. He also praised the teachers for their efforts.

"These teachers are just the greatest. They work so hard for the kids," DeLibero said.