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Community Corner

Grand Canyon Trek-Rim to Rim for Autism

On October, 15, 2013, SPARC parent,  Dan Fischer of Pleasantville, has made a most inspirational effort on behalf of his son Ben who is 12 and lives with autism and all of the children and older participants at SPARC.  Ben has a hard time communicating or doing things other 12 year old boys like to do.  There is no travel soccer, baseball or invitation for playdates for Ben.  There are limited opportunities for him to form relationships.  Dan says, “SPARC has been a lifeline to our family and we want to help maintain its services for Ben and his friends for years to come.”  SPARC, serving all of Westchester County,  provides social and recreational opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Rose Rothe, Founder and Executive Director at SPARC says, “We are so proud of Dan, and his 2 friends, Charles Van Vleet and Tim Gallbraith for their 14 hour, 24 mile  trek, rim to rim, across the Grand Canyon, finishing safely Tuesday night.”     His wife, Deborah Fischer, a member of SPARC’s Board of Director, has been faithfully reporting back to Dan’s Westchester fans as he checks in from Arizona over the past few days.  “Dan said it’s the hardest thing he’s ever done, is tired and sore, but so thrilled with the accomplishment.”  Everyone is ecstatic that the venture proceeded, as it was at risk during the national park shut down over the past few weeks.  Miraculously, the Canyon opened just in time for the intrepid trekkers to make it to the North Rim just hours before it will be closed for the season.

Rothe says “I feel he has applied the kind of determination and perseverance that some of our participants need to apply to get through their social challenges and daily lives.”  So far, Dan’s team, The Rim Rockers, has raised $20,000 in pledges and the post-trek events will keep going for a couple of more weeks. 

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 SPARC extend loving thanks to the team.

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We hope you will help support the trek, all funds of which will in turn be used to directly support SPARC.

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