Kidspalooza thank-yous

Family 411 Resource Network
    On Feb. 20 at Stony Brook Elementary School, Family 411 Resource Network hosted Kidspalooza. Family 411 Resource Network is a pre-k through fifth grade Hopewell Valley district-wide PTO committee that supports families of Hopewell Valley Regional School District special needs children. This was an event for special needs children and their siblings where they could have a lot of fun in a very supportive environment. Teen volunteers were available to serve as buddies for any child who needed one. Over 20 amazing Valley teenagers freely volunteered their time for the event as buddies and in many other capacities. Thank you to all of these and our adult volunteers!
   We have many people to thank for making this event a huge success. First we’d like to thank those that led the four activity stations. Schafer School of Gymnastics staff facilitated an obstacle course station. Nicole Gianfredi, HVRSD supervisor of special education for pre-school through fifth grade, led the children in yoga. Sandy Bonasera, Hopewell Elementary School parent and art teacher in the West Windsor-Plainsboro school district, facilitated an art activity and Music Together facilitated the music station. The children had an amazing time at each.
   While the children were busy, parents were able to visit the many information tables provided by the following vendors, for which we are grateful; The Arc of New Jersey, Autism NJ, Children’s Specialized Hospital, Crayations, Food Allergy Committee for Education and Safety (FACES), Hopewell Valley Municipal Alliance, Mercer County Project Lifesaver, Miracle League, Music Together, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Pediatric Therapy Solutions, LLC, Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN) and Stockton Family Practice.
   Last, we would like to thank all of the district’s elementary school PTOs for their support, sponsorship by Stop & Shop, Pennington Quality Market, Starbuck’s of Pennington, Laura Pedrick Photography, Stony Brook Elementary School office and custodial support, and Amber Spa for providing complementary massages at the event!
Angela Jacobs,
Heather O’Connell,
Lydia Holland,
Theran MacNeil,
Mona Patel,
Family 411 Resource Network