Laughter, hugs and bright flowers filled a pavilion at Twin Lakes Park.

Westmoreland County community members with disabilities gathered Thursday evening to decorate flower pots for mothers at Twin Lakes Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in honor of Mother’s Day.

The event was hosted by Team Friends, a group that creates opportunities and community for adults with disabilities in the Pittsburgh region.

Participants enjoyed dinner and desserts before decorating the flower pots with colorful stickers, tape and shoe polish. They then potted red, orange and yellow flowers.

Every month, Team Friends holds an event that aims to create social, learning and philanthropic opportunities for participants, Team Friends lead facilitator Jamie Walker said. About 50 people attended Thursday’s event.

The May event hopefully will bring joy and love to nursing home residents, she said.

“We figured there might be some moms who don’t have people visiting, or even some fellas who need some brightening up,” Walker said.

Richard Long, a participant from Somerset Township, said he likes “everything” about Team Friends, especially the friendships he has formed.

He looked forward to making an impact at the nursing home.

“My favorite part of (this event) is decorating the flower pots for people in the nursing homes,” Long said. “I can give them to the patients and make them feel loved.”

Walker said Team Friends “changes lives.” The Westmoreland chapter of the Pittsburgh-based group began about five years ago.

Team Friends’ unique structure encourages participants to think with a team mentality, Walker said. During events, “players” on the team — adults with disabilities — work together with their “coaches” — family members, teachers or paid staff members.

“We’re all together as a team,” Walker said. “That’s the philosophy we have.”

Team Friends is specifically tailored toward adults because it can be more challenging to socialize and meet people after school, Walker explained. The group hopes to provide social benefits while impacting the community.

Monthly events include smaller, community-based events, as well as annual trips to Kennywood and Pirates games.

“Folks here get to look forward to something fun and exciting,” Walker said. “(The events offer) socialization opportunities that they don’t always get.”

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