Autism Cares Foundation Services Division
The Adult Services Division wants to send out a very special thank you to two individuals who have worked hard this summer to help us get our program started!
Kayla Kuepper, a West Chester University Senior, spent this summer interning in our program. She assisted in creating materials for the program, setting up the spaces at the Resource Center, and worked with our clients in the afternoons with arts and crafts and social skills activities. We are so grateful for her support and help!
Dennis McKeown has also been volunteering his time to help us in our program Tuesdays through Thursdays. He has provided our staff with assistance in developing social skills programs and daily living skills with our clients. Dennis is such a positive force and we appreciate his support!
We are still looking for dynamic and fun individuals to join our team! If you are interested in being a Direct Support worker to work in our day program, Mondays-Fridays from 9-3pm, send your resume to
[email protected]
Beth Garrison, CEO of Adult Services Division
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Special Needs Night Offers Pure Magic at Clementon Park/Splash World
Pure magic filled the air when Clementon Park/Splash World flung its gates open for a recent first-time event for the special needs community.
From the first instant, the park was flowing with old-fashioned family fun and the opportunity to create lasting memories for the nearly 400 guests, and 25 volunteers, who attended Tuesday's fundraiser for the Bucks County-based Autism Cares Foundation.
The well-organized event, on Tuesday, August 23, perfectly combined the ideals of a caring heart and the importance of deep community involvement. The invitation went out to anyone in the Tri-State area who has a loved one with any type of special needs.
The magical night was sponsored by Clementon Park and 95.7 BEN FM in order
to reach out to a broad sector of the special needs community and to benefit the Autism Cares Foundation, a non-profit that provides programs, events and life enrichment opportunities for children, teens, and adults with autism and their families.
Clementon Park was closed to the public from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., for the special event, and offered free parking, discounted tickets and will donate $5 from each ticket sold to the Autism Cares Foundation.
The families who attended said they were thrilled by the opportunity to enjoy the theme park and cool off at the water park, without the long lines, massive crowds, and other more "typical" rules. The families also praised the 25 Autism Cares Foundation volunteers for being so "hands-on" while helping the special needs guests.
Elizabeth Podolski, of Egg Harbor City, N.J., brought her five children and two nieces, ages 4 to 16, to the Clementon Park event. The loving mother and aunt said she brought her family because of her 10-year-old daughter, Kady, a non-verbal fifth-grader.
"The moment my daughter walked in and took a glimpse of the water park she
was all smiles. She saw the tubes and water slides and her smile became bigger," said Podolski, a third grade teacher. "It's so nice to have a night for families with special needs. It feels less crowded and more welcoming, so we are so glad we decided to make the trip."
All of the guests and family members, who came from near and far, splashed around the water park, played the carnival games, and took rides on the Vintage Carousel, the Giant Ferris Wheel, Ring of Fire, Neptune's Revenge log flume, the Sea Dragon, the Victorian Railway, and many other attractions.
They also enjoyed ice cream, funnel cakes, popcorn, pizza, chicken fingers, crab fries, and other treats, of which the sweet smells permeated the nighttime air.
"I spent the evening walking through the park talking to all of the smiling participants and their family members, and the enthusiasm was truly infectious," said Kim Smith, Autism Cares Foundation Managing Director. "I am so proud to be part of such a wonderful organization, and working with such caring and giving groups of people from Clementon Park and BEN FM."
Everyone was pleased by how friendly and supportive the staff at the theme park was during the event. Not only that, they were involved in two special training sessions conducted at the park by Beth Garrison, the Autism Cares Foundation's CEO of Adult Services Division.
Margie Ford, Director of Sales and Marketing for Clementon Park, approached John Riebel, her media representative at BEN FM, because the theme park was looking for a way to give back to the community. Riebel reached out to talk show host Marilyn Russell, and the partnership between the park, the radio station, and Autism Cares Foundation was forged. Soon after, the park's first special needs event was born.
"We are so excited to have the opportunity to host the children and their families, and we are looking forward to having Autism Cares Foundation back every year," Ford said. "We wanted the participants to go to a place where they could enjoy their time with their families, and just have fun - and we are thrilled that this is exactly what happened."
All of the partners involved were so proud of the special needs event, and everything that it accomplished and are already looking forward to planning next summer's event.
"All you have to do is open your eyes and see all of the magical moments
happening right before you," said James P. Brown, Group Sales Manager for Greater Media Philadelphia, the company that operates 95.7 BEN FM and other radio stations. "This was a great opportunity for the community to enjoy a perfect night at the park!"
Make sure you check us out on the news using the links below!
Debra Forman, Director of Communications
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September Programs and Events
Click on the event below to register
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Local teen reaches Eagle Scout with ACF
On Saturday, August 13, Brent Reilly from Boy Scout Troop 153, Assumption BVM Church in Feasterville, performed his Eagle Scout Service Project for Autism Cares Foundation which consisted of building two outdoor benches, filling two planters, and building and painting shelving for a closet.
Brent worked with his Eagle Coach, Dennis Curran to prepare is Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook for approval from Washington Crossing Council. Once Brent received approval, he and his dad worked to fundraise money and/or supplies to cover the cost of the project. Lowe's, Home Depot, Walmart, Target, Shop Rite, Giant and Sherwin Williams donated either gift cards or supplies towards his project. Family members and friends also donated towards the project.
Brent then recruited help by talking to the guys in his troop and explained the
project to them. Brent called his cousins, aunts, uncles and friends to tell them about his project and to see if they could lend a helping hand. 41 people showed up to help with the project and since there were so many extra hands, they were able to take on the additional task of removing a portion of the tile floor, which was to be removed the following week.
The purpose of the Eagle Scout Service Project is to emphasize your intention to give leadership to others through proper planning and development. Brent clearly showed his leadership skills in planning the project, while working with both Linda and Frank Kuepper, and also the day of the project by leading his team and completing all of the proposed tasks and a few additional ones too.
Thank you Brent and Boy Scout Troop 153!
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It's Time to Head Back to School!
Help from the Experts!
from Dr. Peter Faustino, PhD
www.AutismSpeaks.org
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Pineville Tavern Holds BBQ Benefit for Four Local Charities
The Pineville Tavern knows how to throw quite a party, and the owner and staff of this charming restaurant, are certainly able to use their caring hearts to celebrate.
On Sunday, the Pineville Tavern celebrated three major milestones with a community cookout and fundraiser to benefit four local charities.
Initially, the event was going to benefit one local charity as part of a social media contest, but the response was so overwhelming, the Pineville Tavern decided it couldn't chose just one. Proceeds from the event are going to: Autism Cares Foundation, Kisses for Kyle, Athletes Helping Athletes, and Team Franky.
More than 350 guests paid $25 for a delicious All-You-Can Eat BBQ of ribs, fried chicken, award-winning bacon burgers, baked beans and coleslaw, as well as lemonade and ice tea. Each charity will benefit from the proceeds collected from its supporters.
In addition to the scrumptious food, there was live music from The Commission and magician Doug Billingsley made colorful balloon animals for the delighted children
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The charities gave out flyers, wrist bands and other information about their heart-felt endeavors and the atmosphere was one of true community spirit and great camaraderie.
"With everything that seems to be going wrong in the world, today was a day to forget all of that and have a lot of good old-fashioned fun," said Drew Abruzzese, owner of the Pineville Tavern, located in the Buckingham-Wrightstown area.
"Our suppliers, such as US Foods, gave major donations and our staff all volunteered to help at the event," Abruzzese said with great pride. "It takes a lot to get me away from away from my kids and my golf game on a Sunday; but this was more than worth it."
Linda Kuepper, Co-Founder and CEO of the Autism Cares Foundation, was thrilled to see so many volunteers and families come out to support children, teens, and adults with autism and other special needs with their families.
"This was an amazing day. I want to thank the Pineville Tavern for hosting an outstanding event," Kuepper said "We are honored and humbled to be chosen as one of the charities and to also be part of celebrating all of the wonderful charities here that do so much for local families. We would especially like to thank all the people who came out to support ACF, and it was a pleasure seeing everyone there!"
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Tiffany Fusco, founder of Team Franky, was excited to be able to spread the word about her non-profit to help children with cancer. "This is such an amazing event and we are extremely proud to be here."
Sharon Snyder, Founder of Kisses for Kyle, a local non-profit that helps families battling childhood cancer, was extremely excited by the large turnout.
"I was so honored that we were one of the charities chosen - and thrilled when I saw the four that were selected," Snyder said. "I want to give hugs and kisses to each of our volunteers and supporters. It was a perfect day!"
Debra Forman, Director of Communications
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Fallsington Softball Tournament to benefit ACF
The hottest day on record didn't stop the Fallsington Softball league from holding their annual Softball for Autism Tournament which supports Autism Cares Foundation.
Twelve teams came out for a fun day of games, food and hanging out all for a great cause. The tournament, which started at 9am, played on 3 different fields at Fred Allen Softball Complex in Morrisville, PA. They got down to the final teams by 2pm
and Best Electrical Contractors took home the championship award for 2016!
The concession stands were packed and the grill was serving fresh burgers, hot dogs, and lemonade to the players and their families.
"We are so grateful to Scott Davis from
Fallsington Softball tournament and for all of the t
eams who come out year after year to support Autism Cares Foundation," Linda Kuepper, Co-Founder and CEO of Autism Cares Foundation said. "It is truly an amazing and family friendly day."
Jasmine Ridgeway, Executive Administrator
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Get your Back to School Supplies and support Autism Cares Foundation!
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Volunteer Of The Month-
Rose Sherman
We would like to extend a hearty congratulations to our 37-year-old volunteer of the month, Rose Sherman. For more than two years, Rose has been coming every month to our Bounce U events in Langhorne, where she is a valuable asset to the program. Rose helps out by taking photos and interacting with the little ones in the many inflatable bounce houses.
By just looking at the expression on her face you can see she loves coming to Bounce U. When she leaves, Rose lets everyone know the date of the next Bounce U event and tells them she will be there. Rose is truly an asset to Autism Cares Foundation, and it is a pleasure seeing her socializing and connecting with the children. It is a pleasure to work with Rose and we look forward her participation for a long time to come.
Thank you so much, Rose, for all that you do, we truly appreciate it!
Renee Marbo, Volunteer Coordinator
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