WALL TOWNSHIP — Allaire Community Farm opened up its gates once more to people with autism and their families on March 30, offering a welcoming and relaxing Easter celebration and egg hunt. The event was a collaborative effort with Parents of Autistic Children Autism Services [POAC], a New Jersey nonprofit based in Brick Township that provides events and services to people with autism.
In addition to the egg hunt, attendees enjoyed fresh food, rides on the farm’s wagon and small train and visits with the many resident animals, including cows, horses, ponies and more. The Easter Bunny even showed up and sat by some of the farm’s volunteers to greet guests.
“It’s such a lovely event,” said Lori Joseph, a guest who was there with her family. She praised the variety of activities and said her family has come to events at the farm before.
POAC Executive Director Gary Weitzen said the event drew more than 7,200 people throughout the day. Mr. Weitzen said that one of the important parts of the day was that it provided fun activities for everyone, including siblings. The event was one of many that the farm puts on with POAC with the goal of creating a supportive space by bringing families together who understand what having a family member with autism is like.
“It really is a sense of family,” he said. “The kids are just so happy…everyone is loved.”
Ms. Joseph said that she enjoyed this aspect of the event and that she felt a sense of community.
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