Seasons Amherstburg teamed with Autism Services Inc. Windsor-Essex last week to raise funds and to have a little fun in the process.
Seasons Amherstburg hosted its “Splash for Smiles” fundraiser last Friday, complete with a dunk tank and the band “Back 2 Back” on hand. Jenn Lauzon, fun manager at Seasons Amherstburg, stated the event raised $1,361.50.
Proceeds benefit the 40th Bruce Awad Summer Program that is operated in the region through Autism Ontario.
“We’ve had raffle prize tickets sold all week,” said Lauzon. “We sold dunk tank tickets.”
Parrothead Popcorn Company also sold popcorn to residents and visitors with a portion of sales being donated to the fundraiser.
Jillian Fenech, executive director of Autism Services Windsor-Essex, said a summer program was launched four decades ago largely due to the efforts of Bruce Awad, with the program subsequently being named for him.
“He originally started the program for his own daughter,” Fenech explained. “Forty years later, we still run a six-week program.”
Schools such as Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Windsor and Holy Name elementary in Essex host the programs with supports provided in each of the two locations. After programming in the schools themselves, the youth then enjoy recreational activities in the community afterward.
“It’s getting them out doing things most kids do during the summer,” said Fenech.
A Seasons Amherstburg resident knew of the Bruce Awad Summer Program so that is how the partnership with the retirement home came about, she added. Fenech added she dropped by in early July and gave a presentation to a group of Seasons residents on what Autism Services Windsor-Essex does and what the summer program is all about.
Seasons Amherstburg teams with Autism Services Inc. for "Splash for Smiles"
By Ron Giofu
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