Holtville churches deliver sensory items to children’s rehabilitation program

Children served by the state’s rehabilitation system received a fresh supply of handmade help this month when New Home Assembly of God’s sewing ministry, working with other area churches in the Holtville area, delivered 200 sensory squares, sensory mats and clothing protectors to the Children’s Rehabilitation Service office in Montgomery. For families who depend on CRS, the donation filled a practical need that shows up every day at home, at mealtime and during stressful transitions.

The items were delivered on or about June 4 and were meant for children and young adults CRS serves from birth to age 21, along with adults with hemophilia. Sonia Cleckler, a CRS program specialist for speech-language pathology, said the items can be used by clients themselves or by family members, including siblings who need calming and sensory support. “A lot of our kids have sensory needs,” Cleckler said.

The sensory squares are textured tools that can help with regulation, tactile stimulation, emotional comfort and cognitive development. The clothing protectors are just as practical: they help cover taller clients during meals, keep clothing cleaner and preserve dignity and independence for children who still need extra support. CRS said the items will be distributed through its 14 community-based offices statewide, putting the ministry’s work in reach of families far beyond Elmore County, including those from the Autauga County area who travel to Montgomery for services.

This was not the first time the church ministry stepped in. The new donation followed an earlier delivery of weighted stuffed animals, and New Home Assembly of God and Lake Hill Baptist Church also made a similar gift in February 2025 that included sensory squares, clothing protectors and stuffed animals. That pattern matters because it points to a recurring need, not a one-time gesture. When parents receive these items at no cost, they avoid having to piece together costly substitutes for tools that support comfort, feeding and daily regulation.

Teresa Johnson delivered the items for the ministry. She has a long history of service to CRS as a nutritionist vendor and is connected to Troy University. Her role, along with the work of the Holtville churches, shows how faith communities and health-service professionals can help close gaps that state systems do not always fill on their own.