By GABE JORDAN

gabe.jordan@gaflnews.com

CORDELE — Middle Flint Behavioral Health Care’s MR/DD centers for Crisp, Dooly and Sumter counties celebrated the Fourth of July early with a cookout at Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park Wednesday.

Nearly 40 consumers of services provided at the three MR/DD centers enjoyed playing horseshoes and participating in other outdoor activities before sitting down to a huge spread of grilled and homemade goodies prepared by volunteers from Bakerfield Baptist Church in Byromville.

“We have great programs at all our county centers, but it’s good for both the staff and the consumers to enjoy a day out at the park and have some fun away from the center,” said Sheila Wilcox, who works at the local center in Cordele.

Wilcox said the event was a success thanks to donations from a wide variety of area businesses and organizations: Wal-Mart, J.W. Williams Funeral Home, Snipes Grocery Store of Rochelle, Fast Stop, Cape Insurance of Vienna, American Legion Post 542 and American Legion Third District, the Cordele Food Marts on 24th Avenue and 7th Street, Stripling’s Sausage of Warwick, and Flint River Food Mart.

“You can tell our consumers are having a great time, and it’s all because we have sponsors, volunteers and family members who care about their welfare,” Wilcox said.

Middle Flint Behavioral HealthCare has numerous programs that help meet the needs of adults who are mentally retarded and/or developmentally disabled. For more information about services or to volunteer, call 229-271-4092.