A Day of Joy on the Allegheny: LIFE Armstrong County Hosts Picnic for Participants and Staff Posted on September 20, 2024 LIFE Armstrong County transformed an ordinary Tuesday into a day to remember this week. With the picturesque Allegheny River as the backdrop, 35 participants and 40 staff members gathered at Riverfront Park in Kittanning for the center’s much-anticipated annual picnic. The event brought fun and games, music, food, and the simple joy of being outside in the fresh air. The day was a complete departure from the norm. Instead of participants visiting the center for their usual activities, the staff went above and beyond, organizing an outdoor party that made the most of the sunshine and fresh air. They transported participants to the riverside, where a pavilion became the focus of good conversations, plenty of laughter, delicious snow cones and games like corn hole. “I feel that today was just an amazing day of gathering the staff and the participants to a beautiful location—the Allegheny River in the wonderful town of Kittanning,” said Lesley McGregor, Center Director of LIFE Armstrong County. “It was such a nice day to be out of our element and enjoy everyone’s company. The weather was superb. It is not a small task to take a large group to a picnic in wheelchairs or with difficulty walking.” Throughout the day, the smiles on the participants’ faces told the story better than words could. For many, the opportunity to enjoy a change of scenery, surrounded by staff who care deeply for their well-being, was a special experience. Doctors helped tear down tables, nurses took turns making snow cones, and the cook—who had prepared a delicious lunch for everyone—joined the participants for a lively game of corn hole. Even one of the nurses doubled as the DJ, playing the perfect party tunes. “The smiles on the participants’ faces say it all,” McGregor noted. “All the planning and work was well worth it. We will definitely do it again.”