 Cory Nichols teaches a child about horse care as Dorothy Novogrodsky looks on. |
 Ilyssa Weiner creates bubble fun. |
 Rachel Countryman creates figures from tactile foam, with group of children. |
It was a Saturday afternoon of pure fun and meeting new friends at Fallsburg High School.
The Woodridge Kiwanis Club and Benjamin Cosor Elementary School K-Kids coordinated an event for children on the autistism spectrum and with other special needs. The goal was to create awareness of children with disabilities and to give them a chance to interact with their regular peers. The idea for this event originated from the concept of "Autism Awareness", which is the New York State District Kiwanis Governor's project for this year.
Together the children engaged in hands on activities. Seven Kiwanians supervised the children and activities, as well as set up the event. Volunteers with a background of working with special needs children helped make this event meaningful.
Cory Nichols, a riding instructor, and Dorothy Novogrodsky, a Behavioral Specialist, taught the children about horse care, with a real miniature horse. Rachel Countryman, a Kindergarten teacher from Liberty, captured children's attention with a tank of live newts.
Other activities that interested the children were kite flying with Fallsburg Teacher/Councilman Mike Weiner, singing with FCS high school students Alexis Shea on the guitar and Ilyssa Weiner on the keyboard, and lots of music to go along with the event. There were also crafts, bubbles, tactile materials, gross motor activities, and remote control vehicles. Sherry Eidel and Charlene Wright from New Hope Community provided parent resources.
The children ranged in age from 3 to 17. The nine K-Kids, three Builders Club members and other volunteers, along with K-Kids advisor Jill Weiner, helped plan many of the activities, taking into consideration the needs of the special children.
(Posted August 21, 2014)
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