Eppie's Great Race

Therapeutic Recreation Services (TRS) has been providing award-winning opportunities for children, teens and adults with disabilities and special needs to explore, learn and have fun since 1975. More than 15,000 people participate annually in the many outstanding programs, receiving training in leisure, social, community, vocational and independent living skills.

Mission

To provide therapeutic recreation opportunities for individuals with disabilities residing in Sacramento County, which will focus on abilities, rather than disabilities and encourage people to attain their highest level of independent leisure functioning by increasing leisure skills, improving social skills, increasing independent living skills and increasing their awareness of and involvement in community recreational activities.

Programs

For individuals ages 5 - adult with mental, physical, developmental, emotional and sensory impairments or special needs.

Training is provided in leisure, social, community and independent living skills, such as:

• Learning new leisure skill
• Structuring leisure time
• Money Skills
• Identifying/utilizing community resources
• Using public transportation
• Conversational skills
• Etiquette

Programs and Services offered include:

• Social Clubs
• Travel
• Sports and Fitness Classes
• Special Events
• Cultural/Community Outings
• Outdoor Adventures
• Community Outreach
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Therapeutic Recreation Internships Information and Referral
• Contract Services to other agencies

Therapeutic Recreation Services

Thanks to the dedication of many volunteers and organizations, the historic Florin East Grammar School building was renovated and re-opened as the Eppie G. Johnson Therapeutic Recreation Center in the spring of 2006. Funding and support for this renovation was provided by a partnership of the County of Sacramento, the California Department of Housing and Community Development and the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency.

Why was the Center named after Eppie Johnson? The County named the Center after Johnson in appreciation of over $950,000 in proceeds of the Eppie's Great Race that have been donated to Therapeutic Recreation Services since 1980. Johnson, a local restaurateur and philanthropist, is a major TRS benefactor.

Old Florin Town was historically the center of a vibrant Japanese American farming community. The community was established in the 1870's and the original Florin East Grammar School was built around 1887. The original building was destroyed by fire and re-built in approximately 1914, and is one of the few remaining structures from that era.

The first Florin School of 1887 was located on McComber Lane just east of the railroad tracks and was a one-room structure, as were all the schools in the area. Destroyed by fire, it was re-built and had the distinction of being one of only four desegregated schools in California. Only Japanese children attended the school when a new brick building was built west of town and was attended by Caucasian children. For years, the two schools were referred to as the East School and the West School, and they remained segregated until 1939. The West School was destroyed by vandals in the 1970's, but the East school lives on and it is now the home of Therapeutic Recreation Services.

The name Florin comes from the railroad stop town designated as such by Judge E. B. Crocker who was impressed with the multitude of wild flowers in the area - thus the Spanish Flor for flower.

Pathways to Recreation, Inc., is a not-for-profit organization that exists to ensure life enriching opportunities for people with disabilities. Pathways to Recreation helps to provide funding, advocacy, volunteers and education in partnership with the County of Sacramento, Regional Parks,Therapeutic Recreation Services (TRS). Donations are always welcome.

TRS thanks all of the sponsors, participants and volunteers of Eppie’s Great Race® for your generous support!!!

Sacramento County Therapeutic Recreation Services Contact Information:

• Phone: 916-381-0255
• Fax: 916-381-0209
• E-mail: TRS@SacCounty.net
• Location: Florin East Grammar School - home of Eppie G. Johnson Therapeutic Recreation Center, 8383 Florin Road, Sacramento, CA 95828
• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 292640, Sacramento, CA 95829