By Gary Nager
As we announced in our last issue, 2015 marks the first time we decided as a company to dedicate ourselves to supporting one cause for an entire year, and we’re proud to say that we recently kicked off our involvement in autism awareness by taking part in two local events, one right here in Wesley Chapel.
New River Elementary, which has one of the largest Exceptional Student Education (ESE) populations of any Pasco County public school (with more than 60 students, many of whom have varying forms of autism), , with a great fun run, 17 vendors, silent basket auctions and a wonderful spirit of camaraderie.
New River assistant principal Colleen Wilkinson says that about 200 students, parents, teachers and administrators participated in this year’s largest-ever Extravaganza, and a record total of about $8,000 was raised to benefit the ESE programs and the autistic “unit” at the school.
Wilkinson notes that “We really are focused on our autistic unit at our school. We have now raised about $20,000 in the three years we have held this Extravaganza.”
She adds that New River’s behavioral specialist Jon Leidy organized the event, where many items, including the bounce houses, were donated by local businesses.
You can still help the ESE unit at New River Elementary. For more info, call the school at 346-0500 or email JLeidy@Pasco.k12.fl.us.
No comment yet, add your voice below!