By MICHAEL BROOKS / Special to the Reporter

ALABASTER – A large group of happy Shelby County residents gathered on Dec. 3 for a “sensory-friendly” Christmas celebration for autistic children and adults and those with multiple disabilities.

Angel Warriors Foundation CEO and President Jamia Alexander-Williams described “sensory-friendly” as activities designed to have a calming effect. These activities included pictures with Santa, cookie-decorating, face-painting and making snow bottles.

“These are special people and we wanted to offer a special event,” Alexander-Williams said. “This is the first event in Alabaster, and the first event in Shelby County history since our organization is only three months old.”

Some 30 volunteers and the nine Angel Warriors board members greeted attendees, superintended the various craft stations and provided live music for Santa’s pictures.

Angel Warriors partnered with the Autism Society of Alabama to sponsor the event. The First Methodist Church of Alabaster lent their Restore building for the afternoon.

According to the Angel Warrior website, the group “offers hope and future possibilities to special needs and multiple disabilities families by serving as God’s Hands.”

Alexander-Williams, who lives in Alabaster, explained that her organization isn’t sponsored by a single church, but is “church-friendly,” since the group is committed to Christian ministry.

One parent who preferred not to be named said she was grateful for the event and happy her son was included.

“So often special children are overlooked, and sometimes ostracized or feared,” she said. “But today they were made to feel important. It was a wonderful day for us.”

More information about Angel Warriors is available at Angelwarriorsfoundation.org or on Facebook at Angel Warriors Foundation.