RICHMOND – Less than halfway through the program, more than 120 people had already joined what is expected to be recalled as the first annual International Day for People with Disabilities Dec. 3 at the Richmond High School track.

“Yes, it’s an annual,” Suzan Breen said near the track a few minutes before the event.

Breen is the founder and executive director of Ray County Special Needs Services, which works to match disabled people with unmet needs to resources.

The United Nations started the day in 1992, and the day is celebrated around the world with walks, runs and events to talk about advocacy. But the day had been observed in name only in the United States until the Ray County event, she said.

“We hope to bring the community together,” Breen said. “Ray County is a great place. They have really embraced us in every town and municipality, and this is our way of celebrating and to say, ‘Thank you. We are one people.’”

The event could inspire others in this country to celebrate the day, she said.

“I was involved in a think-tank discussion with other people around the state and told them that we were doing this,” Breen said. “The idea was very interesting to them and I’m looking forward (to) seeing if we can take it beyond Missouri’s borders.”

Ray Countians have responded well to the event, she said.

“We’ve heard from Hardin School District, Orrick School District, Richmond,” Breen said. “We’ve been out in Lawson, been in Excelsior Springs and we’re hoping for a really good turnout where people want to show pride in their municipality.”

While she spoke, James Eubank arrived to say his mother wants him involved with the community.

“My parents have been there for me,” he said, and thanked Breen and others who have helped him.

“We help people,” Breen said.

The event included several elected officials, including state Rep. Peggy McGaugh, County Clerk Glenda Powell, Richmond Councilman Rob Kinnard and Eastern County Commissioner Dave Powell, who read a county order to observe the day.

Walkers included Ray County Salvation Army Director Phil Powers, who predicted the walk would grow over time.

“Every year, it’ll get more and more,” he said. After a Ray County Court order and

After a Ray County Court order and a balloon launch from the middle of the football field, dozens of people began walking and jogging around the track.

With flag in hand, Brandy Arnold prepared to walk. Arnold works for Bethel Home Healthcare, which offers supported living.

“This is so rewarding. I love doing this,” she said.

The track group included Anthony Rowan, who jogged while pushing his son’s wheelchair. Laine Rowan, 6, grinned and said he likes “riding.” He then looked up at his father.

“Go faster, Daddy. Go!” Laine Rowan said.

The event had nothing to do with raising money, only about raising awareness of developmental disabilities.

Assisting the disabled informed Breen in the past few months about a new need.

“They’ve been saying that they’re isolated,” she said. “They feel forgotten. They don’t feel connected.”

A program, Community At Play, developed to meet that need, Breen said.

“Which is us getting together once a month, doing whatever somebody decides they want to do. Like last month, it was ‘pumpkin chunkin’.’ We built a catapult,” she said, to launch pumpkins.

This month is the International Day for People with Disabilities and next month is a requested role-playing game between 2 and 5 p.m. Jan. 9 at the Ray County Library, Breen said.

“Come play with us,” she said.

Community of Play is overseen by Sheryl Crow, Eubank’s mother. She said the first Ray County observance of International Day looked successful.

“I know we have more people coming. We’ve got community people here and we … just have a well-rounded group of people,” she said.

The turnout is encouraging and a steppingstone toward next year’s event, Crow said.

“We’re already making plans,” she said.