LAKELAND, Fla. — A Lakeland woman saw a need and decided to do something about it. Lu Sells saw the need for special needs adults to have social and volunteer activities and started an organization to provide those things.
What You Need To Know
Lu Sells started the No Limits Social Club for special needs adults
Sells saw the need for social activities after her son finished his schooling
The No Limits Social Club meets regularly for lunches and crafts
Club members also participate in volunteer opportunities
On a recent morning, Sells was giving out lots of hugs and greeting the arriving members of the No Limits Social Club at the First United Methodist Church. About 150 of the clubs’ members were getting together for a Thanksgiving-style meal, some crafting and a celebration of their friendship.
“Why are we thankful for friendship? What does friendship bring in our life?” said Sells to the group from a podium. Sells first saw the need for the club because her special needs son Tyler lacked social opportunities after he completed his schooling. She spoke with some of her friends with adult special needs children and they felt the same way about the situation faced by their children.
“It started because one of the boys said to me, Miss Lu, I might talk funny and my legs might not work. But I need a purpose. That night I went home, and I called two of my friends and we came up with No Limits,” said Sells.
The group started with a handful of members a few years ago but has grown to about 150 who show up for regular events. There are several hundred members of the organization’s Facebook group.
Providing the members with volunteer opportunities is also a priority. “It’s growing because they want to give back to the community,” said Sells. “They want a chance just like everybody else.”
Sells says running the organization fills her with joy. “I mean this is an awesome feeling. This is why I do it. I get a million hugs, a million smiles. It’s just the best feeling ever,” she said while looking at the church facility filled with group members.
The No Limits Social Club members all think the world of Lu Sells.
“She just has so much love, and it is contagious. She spreads it around with everybody around us,” said member Tori Hogg.