Author’s visit and vendor fair was held Saturday
If you drove past the Highland Falls Intermediate School on Saturday it might have appeared that school was in session because there were so many cars in the parking lot.
It wasn’t a school day, or even school-sponsored event — it was a visit from a husband-and-wife pair of authors, and a slew of vendors and volunteers working together to create a fun — and informative — day for special needs families.
The authors were Tracy-Ann and Jamiyl Samuels who have written several children’s books and are noted speakers when it comes to helping families find resources for their special needs children. (For more about the authors and their books, visit www.theamazinglysensationalkids.com.)
While they were on stage in the school auditorium speaking, children of all ages were in the school’s gym playing games and doing crafts — those events were run by adult and teen volunteers.
Lining the halls between the two places were vendors and other volunteers.
For instance, Finnegan and Walnut, therapy dogs, were on hand for all the hands that wanted to pet them. DeeDee Moreno from Crafty Dees had a table set up where children could make valentines. Kathy Jones was selling inexpensive crocheted sensory toys. The West Point Spouse’s Club, which hosted the event, had giveaways. There were county and state resources available, free books donated by the Samuels, Scouts on hand to help out with the goings on, and others.
Adriene Engstrom, president of the Spouse’s Club, recalls the moment the event was thought of.
“One day last year a board member of the Spouse’s Club said that they would love to see more inclusion for parents of children with different abilities in our organization. It wasn’t until that moment that I realized that there wasn’t really anything socially for them. We then made it a priority to create some sort of event that brought resources together not only for them but also for the educational purposes of allyship,” she said. “We were so fortunate that we found the Samuels through their advocacy work and that they agreed to come here.”
Engstrom said the community partnership behind the event grew and grew.
“It just so happened that the stars aligned. There were movers in the Highland Falls community that were working towards the same goals that we were. It was like it was in all of our hearts, this mission, and together we made something really remarkable happen. The hope is that this work continues. We saw how impactful it was for those that came Saturday. We owe it to our community to invest in this.”
While speaking, the Samuels said gathering together as a community is exactly what it takes to help families of children with special needs.
“It is so important to not be alone in this process,” Tracy-Ann said. She offered their website as a resource to all who need help. She and her husband praised the local community — “I love what y’all are doing here … it’s an amazing community that comes together for its kids”.
In Highland Falls, Jen Gargiulo was the driving force for the event.
“This experience has been most humbling, being just a small part of bringing people together, to understand living with neurodiversity is not unique, that we all think differently and we all can live inclusively,” she said. “The Samuels are a wonderful example of how to break down the walls of diversity both cultural and personal. Their stories are intriguing and inspirational, as they help us navigate the process of discovery and embracing Autism as a family.”
She added: “Stay tuned …so much more is to come, and reminded families that the local Families with Special Needs Support Group meets every Saturday at the Intermediate School at 1:30 p.m.
There is also a weekly Care Givers Support Group at 7:30 p.m. on Mondays at the Highland Falls American Legion Hall, 134 Old State Rd.
Gargiulo and Engstrom thanked Town of Highlands Recreation Director Aaron Falk for his help in coordinating the event, as well as all who participated.
