The Maker's Child

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well. Psalm 139: 13-14

About The Maker's Child (TMC)

The Maker's Child Respite program serves special needs children and adults on the second Friday night of every month from 6 - 8:30 pm. This is an opportunity for families to leave their special needs child and siblings with us for a night of games, music, lessons, sensory play and activities while parents or caregivers enjoy a respite. This time of respite may include shopping, dinner, a movie or even a nap. Some families choose to take siblings on a special night out; whatever they feel is needed is fine with us! Our purpose is to serve these families in a way that eases their stress and to be the hands and feet of Jesus to them. The Maker’s Child is currently being hosted in Marshall County on a rotation between First Baptist Church in Albertville, Lifepoint Church, Solitude Baptist Church and Connect Church at the Guntersville campus. In 2023, we are excited to add one more church host at Compassion City Church in Albertville. Volunteers at each of these locations would love to provide a church home to our TMC families. Several of our church partners provide Sunday morning and Wednesday evening services for children with special needs while their families attend worship.

Respite Schedule for 2023 
January 13 - Lifepoint Church
February 10 - Solitude Baptist Church
March 10 - FBC Albertville
April 14 - Connect Church Guntersville
May 12 - Lifepoint Church
June 9 - Compassion City Church
July 14 - FBC Albertville
August 11- Connect Church Guntersville
September 8 - Compassion City Church
October 8 - Solitude Baptist Church
November 10 - Compassion City Church
December 8 - FBC Albertville

Sunday morning and Wednesday evening services for children with special needs

First Baptist Church of Albertville
  • TMC class at 9:30 a.m. during Sunday School and 10:30 a.m. during Sunday worship 
  • TMC class on Wednesday at 6 p.m.-7:15 pm
The Fellowship of Albertville
  • TMC class at 10:30 a.m. during Sunday worship
  • AWANA TMC class on Wednesday- 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Lifepoint Church
  • 9 a.m. class during Sunday worship
Compassion City Church
  • 9 a.m.  and 11 a.m. during Sunday worship. 
Connect Church
  • 10:30 a.m. during Sunday worship 

The Maker’s Child Playground will be a premiere all inclusive playground built in Albertville AL.  It will be located directly across from the Albertville Public Library on the property of Albertville First Baptist Church.  The TMC playground will be open 7 days a week from sunrise to sunset.  Included on the site will be two large accessible restrooms and a pavilion with picnic tables.  The playground itself will be 10,350 square feet of an artificial turf surface that is completely fenced and exceeds ADA requirements.
Featured equipment accessible for all kids:
  • Swings
  • Zip line
  • Ten Spin
  • Inclusive Whirl (accessible merry go round)
  • Buddy Rocker
  • Glide Along
  • Momentum Corridor
  • Large roller slide
 Numerus sensory panels

The 3 closest inclusive playgrounds that compare in size to the TMC playground and feature equipment for all disabilities are as follows:
  • Cove Universal Playground in Owens Crossroads, AL (50 min drive)
  • Town Creek Inclusive Playground in Auburn, AL (2+ hour drive)
  • Mason’s Place Inclusive Playground in Tuscaloosa, AL (2+ hour drive)
Playgrounds are required to be ADA compliant but there is a big difference between ADA compliant and truly inclusive.  ADA compliant mainly applies to the slopes of the grade, size of doorways, handrails and so on.  This doesn’t necessarily mean kids with disabilities will have equipment they can play on.
The surface will be 10,350 SQFT of synthetic turf.  There are protective areas around the pieces of equipment that are padded and have a fall rating of 8ft.
Yes, two 30-foot shades will be covering the main play structure along with a covered 20-foot pavilion with plenty of picnic tables.
Yes, Parents who are wheelchair bound can follow their children anywhere on the TMC playground.  The ramps on the main play structure are oversized.  This allows easy access for adults with disabilities.
Yes, The TMC playground is for everyone!!
Yes, there will be benches in various places on the playground along with picnic tables under the pavilion.
Yes, there will be two fully accessible restrooms with large changing tables located in the pavilion next to the playground.
The playground will be completely fenced in to keep kids from running out of the area.  There will also be security cameras recording 24/7.
Yes, there are numerus benefits to having a place to play. Some benefits include increased self-esteem, improvements in mental health and overall well-being, physical activity of any kind is very important in health and wellness. Inclusive playgrounds are often used by therapists to help children reach occupational therapy and physical therapy goals.  
December 8 - FBC Albertville

Buddy

TMC Training Video for the Buddy role.

Group Leader

TMC Training Video for the Group Leader role.

Snack

TMC Training Video for the Snack role.

High Functioning Older Participants/ Teen Siblings (TMC2)

TMC Training Video for the Older Siblings role.

Worship

TMC Training Video for the Worship role.

Security

TMC Training Video for the Security role.

Toddler/Nursery

TMC Training Video for the Toddler or Nursery role.

Corporate Sponsor Packet

Donation to The Maker's Child Playground

TMC Handbook

TMC Training Guide for all volunteer roles.

TMC Training Presentation

PowerPoint slides explaining a typical respite night, defining volunteer roles, additional info, etc.

New Registration Form

Registration form for all new participants.

2023 Respite Calendar

Calendar of each respite night for 2023.

TMC Contribution Form

Contributions to The Maker’s Child are tax-deductible.

 
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Background Check

For all new volunteers aged 19 and older, TMC requires a background check. The link below will be a private agency cooperating with TMC. The cost is $12. Upon completion, the agency will send you a copy of your report. Bring this to Respite night receive your T-shirt free!


  • Date: 12/4/2023 09:08 AM - 6/30/2024 09:38 AM
  • Location Online Event

Price: $12.00

The Drawing will take place January 6, 2024. The drawing will take place at The Maker’s Child Playground site and will be streamed live on Facebook and you do not have to be present to win. A generous donor is giving away the 2023 Z06 3 LZ 70th Anniversary Corvette in support of The Maker’s Child, Inc. OFFICIAL RULES: Corvette for a Cause Give-away benefiting The Maker’s Child, Incorporated. The Maker’s Child, Inc is a Tax -exempt organization under section 501©3 of the Internal Revenue Code. By donating to this give-away fundraiser, each ticket holder agrees to be bound by the rules set forth. The drawing for the Corvette will take place on January 6, 2024. The final date to donate online  for a chance to win is Friday, January 5th at 11:59pm. Mailed requests and donations must be postmarked by December 31, 2023. The drawing is open to the public and the winner does not need to be present to claim the vehicle. One ticket is provided for every $100 donation. Only one name may be associated per ticket. The person making the donation may designate another person as the ticket holder (at their discretion – age 21 and over). The winner of the Corvette is responsible for all taxes and title fees associated with winning and possessing the vehicle. The winner may reside anywhere in the contiguous United States; however, the winner is responsible for receiving the vehicle in Marshall County, Alabama. No delivery will be provided. Proof of insurance must be presented to take possession of the vehicle. How to donate for a chance to win: Make a donation online at www.themakerschild.org or in person from a The Maker’s Child official representative at an in-person event. No purchase or contribution is necessary to enter. At the time of donation, eligible donors must provide their name, address, phone number and email address for proper records. Donations and inquiries may also be made by written request to The Maker’s Child, PO Box 2587 Albertville, AL 35950. Gifts by cash, check, credit card or PayPal are accepted. The drawing will be random and all entries will be audited by a third party before the day of the drawing. The drawing is currently scheduled for Jan 6, 2024 at the location of The Maker’s Child Playground site. At the discretion of The Maker’s Child, Inc the date and location may be moved, but ample time to publicize the new location and time will be given. The Maker’s Child, Inc will make all reasonable efforts to contact the winner using all information provided at the time of donation. If the winner cannot be located within 30 days, a new winner will be selected through the same random drawing process. Please direct any questions to info@themakerschild.org .