The Branson RecPlex is home to a new inclusive playground, thanks in part to Summer Winds Resorts and founder Joseph Pat Joyce.

A $25,000 donation was made to the Branson Parks and Recreation Department for the construction of the playground.

The playground was designed to feature elements that fit the needs of a wide range of children that will enjoy the new site. According to Cindy Shook – director of Branson Parks and Recreation, “While many playgrounds are ADA accessible, this fully inclusive playground [has] elements that also encourage emotional, cognitive, social and sensory development for those with special or specific needs beyond physical handicaps.”

One of Summer Winds Resorts close partners, Generation Rescue, supported the building of the inclusive playground. The foundation brings awareness and hope to families affected by autism. The two companies host the annual Rock the Spectrum event in Branson each year, the new playground is an extension of work that their partnership does.

Summer Winds Resorts sponsored the Fourth Annual “Honoring Our Mothers” event, hosted by The Caring People.

The mission of The Caring People is to change the life of Single Mom’s and their children.

The event took place on May 4^th, 2018 at the Chateau on the Lake. The keynote speaker of the event was famed journalist Byron Pitts. Proceeds from the event will be used to help touch the lives of Single Moms in a positive way.

The organization was founded by JoDee Herschend.

The Herschend family owns and operates several theme parks and entertainment attractions, including the popular Branson attraction Silver Dollar City. JoDee felt her calling was to impact families, specifically those led by Single Moms, which inspired her to found The Caring People.

The program that Herschend and her team of trusted advisors started, has now worked its way across the United States. Summer Winds Resorts is proud to partner in a life-changing mission with The Caring People.

Summer Winds Resort Services, LLC. participated in the Branson Schools Assistance Program in order to brighten the holiday season for local children. They proudly donated various items needed to help many families in the Branson area. Items included clothing, personal hygiene products, and a toy of their choosing. Pat Joyce, Summer Winds Resort Services, LLC. CEO believes very strongly in the importance of education and children, especially those right in our community. “By helping to brighten their Christmas in the smallest way, we can start their 2014 on the right track,” states Mr. Joyce. "We are thrilled to be a part of this effort, along with other community individuals, churches, and school service organizations." Branson Schools were able to reach 387 families and over 900 children this year with the efforts of the Christmas Assistance Program.

Summer Winds Resort Services will be a sponsor of the fifth annual 'Thanks for Giving Gala' benefiting the Boys Girls Club of the Ozarks. The gala will take place on Nov. 10 and will feature guest speaker, and club alumni, Sugar Ray Leonard. Leonard joined the Boys and Girls Club of Washington when he was seven years old It is where he first put on a pair of boxing gloves. From there, he would go on to have a storied boxing career that spanned over 20 years. Leonard won a gold medal in boxing during the 1976 Olympic Games and was the first boxer to win world titles in five different weight classes. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1997. "It is crucial that we mold today’s youth into upstanding citizens and well-rounded men and women," Patrick Joyce, President of Summer Winds Resort Services, said. "There is no better role model than Sugar Ray Leonard and no better way to impact the lives of so many children than to support Boys and Girls Club in all they do. These kids are our future, and Summer Winds is proud to help shape their future for the better." Summer Winds Resort Services invites you out for the 2016 Thanks for Giving Gala on Thursday, Nov. 10 at the Branson Convention Center. All proceeds will benefit the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks, and the gala is sure to be a great time for all.

The Branson Auction is an annual event in the area, taking place every April and October at the Branson Convention Center. In April, along with being a sponsor, a pontoon boat from Summer Winds' Stormy Point Village was donated to be auctioned off for charity.  The October auction took place Oct. 14 and 15, and once again Summer Winds Resort Services was a key sponsor of the event. For the fall auction, Summer Winds donated a week’s stay at Stormy Point Village for the charity auction and was the main sponsor of the cocktail party that welcomes the auctions bidders and sellers to town. The party was a part of the Branson Auction's opening festivities on Oct. 13. A wide variety of automobiles and bikes were featured in this fall's auction. Those garnering the most attention included a 1953 Muntz Jet, 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air F.I., 1962 Chevrolet Corvette and 1990 Ferrari 348 Challenge. Admission proceeds from the auction were donated to the Vintage Car Rally Association (VCRA), an association that uses 100 percent of their charitable funds each year to benefit autism. The VCRA holds many charitable events throughout the year, including the annual All-Stars for Autism vintage car rally. Summer Winds was proud to once again be a sponsor of the Branson Auction and looks forward to many more years of being able to help and benefit those affected by autism.