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11 Link UPCOMING SPEAKER MEETINGS
Ray Sette advisor for some super stars in Hollywood has agreed to provide our parents with a night of spiritual enlightenment. See a quote from a website. “What do the stars in the sky have to say about the stars in Hollywood? In this monthly column, Ray examines a celebrity's chart and discusses how specific astrological events throughout the celebrity's life presented certain opportunities that led the celebrity down his or her path to success” Ray has an interest in Autism and was delighted when I contacted him. We are in the process of setting up a date and time to offer this incredible opportunity. I will keep you posted on details but for now can I see how many we have interested? Also, Kristin Selby Gonzalez National Speaker, Radio
Talk Show Host, Writer, Internet TV Show Host, Also in the process of getting a speaker meeting on IPAD apps and how to use them for our special needs children. As always we are dedicated to providing our families with as much information and education as possible. Let me know what you are interested in learning about. thanks
OUR CURRENT PROGRAMS OFFERED
all programs are co ed and any different abilty SPARKS NEW JERSEY STATE RESPECTED CHEER DANCE SQUAD IS AT THE START OF THEIR NEW SEASON Our SPARKS has received many awards from the Governor, Congressional Award, Assembly Award, the Freeholders and County Executive Award and the Salute to Champions Award presented by the Division of Disabilities, have been the topic of many newspaper articles and made the front cover of the Our Meadowlands Magazine. They have won many trophies for their many performances each year and last season took first place at 6 Flags and Jamfest Nationals in their division. What you may not know is the girls and boys are now featured in a documentary called “CHEER”. The 13 minute promo will be available for viewing shortly and by next year you will be seeing it at major film festivals and some local theaters. I am so proud of our squad!
The 2012 season opening performance this year was at Ramapo College and it was a huge success. The squad will be performing at many local competitions, Toms River, Wildwood, Asbury Park and 6 Flags this year. The team through fundraising efforts got new Uniforms and new routine including some tumbling and some great stunts. SPARKS is the only cheer dance squad I know that is made up of 25 children and adults with autism, down syndrome, severe medical conditions and many other diagnosis. They are living their dream! The squad is entering a contest that if they win they will be the stars of a TV commercial. Good luck SPARKS!
Closing day of basketball.....Mike Simmel from the Harlem Wizards performing for our Special Angels
SOCCER – registration in person is this Thursday, August 4th 7:30 to 8:30pm at the LaSalle Center 200 Ridge Road North Arlington side ramp entrance between dunkin doughnuts and Queen of Peace Church. By mail see attached form mail $40 check made payable to Putting the Pieces Together 85 Exton Avenue North Arlington NJ 07031. We play Sundays 10 to 11am and 11am to 12pm. All registrations need to be in on or before August 10th. CHEER – registration in person this Thursday, August 4th 7:30 to 8:30pm at the LaSalle Center 200 Ridge Road North Arlington side ramp entrance between dunkin doughnuts and Queen of Peace Church. By mail see attached form mail $40 check made payable to Putting the Pieces Together 85 Exton Avenue North Arlington NJ 07031. We practice Saturdays 10 to 11am. All registrations need to be in on or before August 6th which is our first practice for new girls signing. Saturday August 6th 10 am to 11am. Our girls already signed up will be practicing tomorrow Saturday July 30 10am FOOTBALL – our first Football practice starts this Thursday August 4th 6 to 7pm at the Lyndhurst High School corner of Weart and Fern Avenues please be on time and if you didn’t fill out a form please bring one with you along with registration fee of $40 made payable to Putting the Pieces Together. We will find out when the pep rally is when picture day is and so much more that day so please make sure you attend. Also please respond by email if you have registered and are playing football so I can double check my roster also repond if you are signing up at practice this week. I need an email please. SOCIAL SKILLS - Social skills – registration on or before Aug 5th 8 weeks with 8th week family social swim party ending the session Mondays are 2 hours 630 to 830pm $200.00 for all 8 weeks. Class needs to be age appropriate so based on enrollment we will take the children that are in the majority of the age range that registered. we need at least 4 children and no more than 6 children Please email with your response asap so we know to hold a spot we cannot take more than 6 children. 1. Brain gym (opens up both sides of the brain and wakes up neurons) and group hello 2. Literature crafts based on popular books and theme crafts 3. OT with sensory bin, shaving cream play, fine and gross motor play (honey bee game, operation etc.) 4. Speech – after each roll of the dice during a game we are playing we have speech cards the children will be using with prompt cards if needed to answer questions, we also are using auditory games and receptive and expressive speech games 5. Specials – every other week there will be a special run by trained instructors etc 6. Ending session on 8th week family social swim Starts Sept 19th ending Nov 14th which is our social swim and taking off Oct 31st for Halloween PEER MODEL – Registration due on or before August 5th For children 12 and up playing and learning social skills from typical peers. This group is run by typical teens with Tara or I over seeing it. This program promotes natural play skills and gives them the opportunity to model typical behaviors. There is no therapist involved in any peer model group the idea is to have the special needs child rely and interact with their typical peer. This group runs from 630pm to 8pm and is $100 for 8 weeks. We can take up to 6 teens and this fills up fast. This was a huge success last year. Day of the week to be announced PLEASE READ I would like to conclude by sharing a letter one of our SPARKS cheerleaders wrote to the head of Nike and emailed to me. I am so amazed by our children and wanted everyone to see the exceptional child Elizabeth is. Elizabeth is 16 years old and has special needs. She took it upon herself to think of this idea and then construct this letter. We have many exceptional children and families in our org. We are very lucky!!!!! Dear Mr.Parker,
We would love your help! Sincerely, CONGRATULATIONS SPARKS
Special Angels SPARKS Competition Cheer Squad had a great season. They attended many competitions showcasing their talent and inspiring the many lives they touched. “Pride and admiration come to mind when I think of my girls” says President Deborah Wertalik.” I am so proud of what they have accomplished and I admire their hard work and dedication to the sport of cheerleading. They are cheerleaders in every sense of the word. They have worked hard and when they shine on the mat it shows.”. SPARKS traveled to Nationals and took first place in their division at Jamfest in Atlantic City and then on to Six Flags to perform at the BatMan Arena. “It was breathtaking to see our girls performat Six Flags in front of such a large audience but also to see them as a team enjoy all of Six Flags and Wild Kingdom as their reward for their outstanding performance” says one of their coaches and mom to one of the SPARKS Tara Banuls. SPARKS and their coaches also received the Governor’s Awards this year. Though the girls live in many different towns it was unanimous they wanted Mayor Richard J. Di Lascio of Lyndhurst to present the awards to their children because Lyndhurst was their home. Without Mayor Di Lascio and the Lyndhurst Commissioners the program would never be. You cannot run a program without a place to run it so they are directly responsible for all of SPARKS successes.
FLAG FOOTBALL WITH A SPECIAL TWIST Special Angels and Lyndhurst Flag Football have gotten together and created a flag football program with a special twist. President of Special Angels Deborah Wertalik, VP Tara Banuls Jack and Sean Yocum Special Angels head Football coaches and Lyndhurst coordinator of Flag Football Pat Glover, President of Football Mitch Morreale and Rob Crespo have created an amazing opportunity for both typical and special needs children a football mentoring program that will grow in time to include so much for each child. The mentoring program will include both children wearing the same number, taking their football picture together, exchanging information, going to their mentors games both away and home if they can and so much more. This will be a life changing experience. This bond could follow both children for the rest of their lives. It’s a character builder and very educational for the typical mentor and the special needs child gets a social experience along with the possibility of a life long friend. Registration for our special angels Flag Football with a special twist program will be held Thursday, June 23, 2011 at the La Salle Center 200 Ridge Road side ramp entrance between Dunkin Doughnuts and Queen of Peace Church from 730pm to 830pm. The form can also be downloaded from the website www.puttingthepiecestogether.org and mailed to us at 85 Exton Avenue North Arlington NJ 07031 or you can call for more information to Debbie or Tara at 201-966-8738 or 201-679-0569. Registration fee is $40 and we need a picture of your child and a short biography of your child included with registration on or before June 23, 2011. We cannot thank Lyndhurst Football enough for this wonderful opportunity. The visions these men have along with ours will make this an incredible program. Special Angels Recreation has been giving children with different needs the choices they deserve for going on 7 years. We are making the impossible possible! Bowling Registration | Football Registration
BORN TO BE WILD MOTORCYCLE RUN FOR AUTISM BENFITING OUR ORG Please join us on June 5th with a rain date of June 12th at 10am to register at the Orange Lantern 15 Firehouse Lan,e Paramus with continental breakfast and coffee, Blessing of the Bike and Blessing for our special children, Bagpipes, and DJ than ride at 12pm sharp to Bear Mountain 7 Lakes scenic and fully escorted and back to the Lantern for the after party. We have a pig roast thanks to the LFD, Paramus FD will be cooking the burgers donated by Magnolia Beef and Burger Maker, and John “Jed” Jedrejczyk will cook the hot dogs donated by Pushcart International and Shop Rite of Lyndhurst and pulled park sandwiches from Maschio’s Catering. We have 5 minute massages compliments of Sun Institute and live music by the Knight Crawlers and DJ Houst Dark. Miller girls and Jack Daniels girls will be doing giveaways and you can buy a raffle to win a motorcycle from another organization. Big Mama will be giving away several dz autism necklaces that she makes and the Bergen County Police and Bergen County Sheriff's Dept will be helping us keep the run safe! Please join us and if you can pass this along to other bikers we would appreciate it! if you don't ride you can purchase a wristband and enjoy the event from 10am to ending for $10 per person. thanks for the support and hope you can make it! There is something to do for everyone and our run is known for “never having to put your feet down” so bikers love it! Pre reg is until May 31st for a $5 discount. The day of event registration is $20 for riders and $15 for passenger. Please join us for a good cause! 1 in 94 children in NJ are diagnosed with autism and in NNJ 1 in 50 boys are diagnosed. We also provide opportunities for children with down syndrome, CP, apraxia, fragile X, ADD, ADHD, PDD NOS and many other diagnoses. PTPT and Special Angels has been providing many services year round for children with special needs and their families for over 6 years and every cent we raise goes to the children. Please call Debbie or Tara at 201-966-8738 for more information or come up the day of and register.
SPARKS BRINGS BACK THE GOLD
The James Guirland Shooting for the Stars Basketball Challenge
Our teens play basketball against the Lyndhurst Police Dept every year in our Shooting for the Stars Basketball Challenge. This year we played in honor of Coach Jimmy Guirland. Jimmy will always live on in our hearts. He was an amazing Coach and at the age of 26 touched many of our special needs children’s hearts and left footprints that will never be forgotten. We donated all the proceeds to his family and had Sen. Sarlo do a Resolution for Jimmy that was from the State Senate and Assembly. The night was amazing our boys scored high against the LPD and Tyler Banuls, the child that is the reason Special Angels exists, made the last and winning basket with a little help from his friends (the LPD). We had Marley Rodriguez sing the National Anthem, there were vendors, good food, wonderful DJPaulie (Paul Passamano), our half time show was amazing with SPARKS, our special needs cheer dance squad, performing and some of the Lyndhurst Teddy’s came to perform too. There was a half court challenge with a prize of $50 to Basketball Heaven and all the participants in the half court challenge got a new basketball. Presentations, trophies and plaques ended the night that filled the High School Gym to capacity. It was standing room only and the best awareness you could ask for. Thanks to all that attended and made it a success both for the Guirlands and for the awareness. Jimmy was definitely smiling down on us.
Nationals for SPARKS Our SPARKS have been together for 5 years. They have worked very hard to impress and wow the judges and the thousands who have watched them perform. This year Coaches Danielle, Tara and Erin are taking them to a new level, Nationals in Atlantic City. With the help of Assistant Coach GiannaJacobelli we are heading to AC and hoping to impress and wow the South Jersey judges! Our girls will be getting Nationals Jackets for their participation from Putting the Pieces Together and recently at a Lyndhurst Mayor’s meeting the girls received Governor’s Awards for their outstanding contribution to raising awareness thanks to our President Deborah Wertalik. They are ending their season at a 2nd Nationals at 6 Flags Great Adventure not only performing but going through Wild Kingdom and having a fun filled day at 6 Flags. As always MO (Mary Olive Smith) our Emmy award winning producer director will be capturing all on film that will hopefully hit the big screen. CONGRATULATIONS SPARKS!!!!!! Please check out the NJ Cheer competitions to see where they are performing and come and cheer them on.
GIANT STADIUM KICK PUNT AND PASS Special Angels Football and SPARKS sideline cheerleaders were lucky enough to be a part of the NY Giants Kick Punt and Pass for special needs children. We were allowed to invite 25 of our Football Players and Cheer Squad to the New Giant Stadium in East Rutherford to hang out and play with Giant legends Zak De Ossie, Justin Tucks, Lawrence Tynes and a few other wonderful players. The day started with tee shirts from the Giants, then on the field with the players to do some kicking, punting and passing. Each child got a back pack filled with goodies and frosty drinks, then pictures and autographs. We left the field and headed to the press box to have lunch provided by the Giants Staff. The day was incredible and our children were amazing to say the least. Every child showed their athletic ability and their manners as they played right along side the Giants. Special Angels Athletes were than featured on Channel 5, Channel 11 and several other news shows. Please check back to see pictures and video of the day. It was a great day!!!
SWIM AT THE LYNDHURST POOL Special Angels is pleased to announce a new addition to our programs Social Swim. This takes place on a monthly basis and is not a swim lesson. Life Guards are there at the state of the art brand new facility and parents are urged to bring safety devices to help the children be as independent as possible in the water. The children are encouraged to socialize with the other children in the pool and parents are socializing as well. It’s a win win for everyone. SAR is dedicated to bringing families of children with different needs together to learn, socialize and support each other in an effort to form a second family. We also strive to spread awareness to the community. SAR pays the fees associated with this program and is providing it as a free program. There is a waiting this for this program.
DINE TO DONATE Please support us by attending our Dine to Donate at Uno Chicago Grill Route 3 W Clifton between the hours of 11am to 2am that is 15 hours. You can get take out, dine in or bar and we get 15% of what you spend. Thank you so much for your support and please print out this flyer and hand it to your waitress for us to get credit. If you could post this on your facebook, Twitter, My Space, email and ask your family and friends to dine for a cause. Print this Flyer and Bring it with You
ENROLLING FOR DANCE, SOCCER, CHEER AND FOOTBALL HURRY UP Our dance program has started but there is room for more. We have girls 6 through 21 participating in jazz ballet and tap with a recital at the end. This program is wonderful. We are also registering for Cheer both Football sideline cheer and competition cheer. Girls ages 6 through 21 are registering to participate in our cheer program. This year we plan on going to National's with our girls. The North Arlington and Lyndhurst Cheer Leaders also come and hang with our girls so it's great peer modeling. Football is for boys ages 10 and up we will start with a pep rally and end with our superbowl. We have a gentleman that not only works with children in a special needs school but also has a 21 year old brother with autism so I know this program will be fantastic. Our boys get to go to the New Giant's Stadium to do the kick punt and pass with the Giant's we are so proud!!!!! We are also registering boys and girls ages 3 and up to play soccer starting in Sept sign ups for all of the above end the last week in August. That is when equipment and unforms will be ordered. We are working on our Walk for Autism, Autism Stock and Bicycle Run for children with special needs and their typical peers. No dates yet we will keep you posted. FALL SPORTS AND ACTIVITY REGISTRATION FORMS Football | Peer | Sparks | Soccer | Music ------------------------------------
TEE BALL CLOSING DAY We are ending our tee ball season with our Closing Day at the Community Center. All free to the children and their families Hot Dogs, water, hot pretzles, popcorn, cotton candy, spin art, Lyndhurst Pastry Italian Ice, carnival games, DJ, baked goods and so much more! We would also like to thank our wonderful Lyndhurst Fire Dept for sending a fire truck down to spray the children so anyone attending should wear a bathing suit. We are so thankful for the people that support us!!! Our children and their families appreciate it more than words can say. GROUP TRIPS We are pleased to announce that our Liberty Science Center group trip was a huge success and we are in the process of planning our summer trips. They will include Jenkinsons Aquarium in Point Pleasant, Chocolate Etc and a few others. Hope you can join us! NEW PEER MODEL GROUP Putting the Pieces Together announces their new Peer Model Group. The group will meet on Wednesday evenings in Lyndhurst. We are registering children ages 10 years old to 13 years old with special needs and typical teens 8th grade and up to hang together doing age appropriate things in hopes to educate typical teens on autism and hope our children will model their peers. This is a great opportunity and we are very excited about this opportunity to serve our children. For more information please email us.
2nd Annual Born to Be Wild Motorcycle Run Thanks to all that attended our Motorcycle Run in June. It was more than we could have hoped for. We would like to also thank all that sponsored and donated their services we could never have done it without you. Putting the Pieces Together and Special Angels Recreation is hosting their 2nd Annual Born to Be Wild Motorcycle Run for autism on Sunday June 6th with a rain date of June 13th 10am to register and enjoy a continental breakfast along with juice and coffee for all at the Orange Lantern 15 Firehouse Lane Paramus riding to Bear Mountain 7 Lakes at 12pm sharp and returning to the Orange Lantern for the after party with live entertainment, pig roasts, burgers, hot dogs, drink specials, Miller Girls, Jack Daniel Girls, Silk City Tattoo, 5 min massage, bagpipes, Blessing of the Bikes, a free tee shirt and more. Reg fee is $20 a rider $15 a passenger with $5 off pre reg. Come ride for a good cause. Call Debbie or Tara for more information or email. Hope you can join us for a great time and please pass this on to anyone you know that has a motorcycle to ride or a car to show/ride. Also anyone that wants to come and enjoy the day without a bike or car wrist bands are $10 per person. Please pass on our flyer to anyone you think would be interested or post anywhere that you think would be helpful. Click here for Motorcycle Run Flyer Tee Ball Season Approaching Signups for the 2010 season of Tee Ball are March 25th, April 1st and April 8th at our Support Group meeting on Thursday evenings at 7:30pm LaSalle Center 200 Ridge Road North Arlington side ramp entrance between Dunkin Doughnuts and Queen of Peace Church. Registration fee is $40 per child and games are played on Sunday mornings. No knowledge of the game is required and all different abilities from any town or county will be accepted. Ages 3 and up are playing year round sports with their parents present at each game. There are no practices and we are always looking for volunteers to coach or help out. If you are interested in getting your child out in the fresh air, getting a great workout and enjoying time with their family Special Angels is the place for you. Please contact Debbie or Tara at 201-966-8738.
Awareness Events Coming
Soon Breakfast with the Easter Bunny
CHRISTMAS AT PTPT
Thanks to the North Arlington Knights of Columbus for the donation of their large room and unlimited soda and the many wonderful 5 star restaurants that donated more food than we could eat Christmas with Santa was a hugh success with close to 200 people attending. Our wonderful area and not so close restaurants donated lots of wonderful food for the families to feast on including some of the best assorted desserts, coffee and tea. A beautiful cake from the Cake Boss from foodnetwork was the perfect ending to our feast. The children visited 5 craft stations with their large goody bags provide by PTPT and they made a different craft and got candy at all 5 stations to fill their goody bag with. All of a sudden through the Christmas music our President Deborah Wertalik heard the hoofs of reindeer and bells from Santa and low and behold there he was larger than life Santa to hand a toy to every child along with goody bags. This event was a free event to the families and paid for by Putting the Pieces Together. Thanks to my hard working Board we had a wonderful time. What a magical night! One parent was quoted as saying "This is the first time my son got to see Santa and he is 10" another parent was quoted as saying "This is the first time since the diagnosis that we have gone out as a family"
Putting the Pieces Together has been dedicated to families affected by autism and other different abilities since 2005. We are here to support and educate families with our speaker meetings and workshops and enhance the lives of children and adults affected by autism and other different abilities with year round sports and leisure activities. You’ll never walk alone as long as we are here. When you are a part of our organization you are not alone we embark on this journey together as a force to be reckoned with. Putting the Pieces Together is an Organization dedicated to bringing Autism Awareness to communities and families not affected by Autism in an effort to bring about understanding and acceptance. Please take a look at our website and what we have to offer and know that though this may not be the journey you expected to take you are not alone. Breaking News….. Putting the Pieces Together will be paying and hosting staff training for 3 local libraries so they can have an in-depth training workshop educating them on how to better serve the autism community. The 3 libraries will be North Arlington, Lyndhurst and Rutherford. The goal of this in-depth customer service training is to heighten library staff awareness of issues related to the autism community and empower them to provide better service to this growing population. The film was produced by Mary Olive Smith a 2009 Emmy award winner for her documentary A Walk to Beautiful. We are supplying a continental breakfast along with a hot lunch donated by local businesses. Putting the Pieces Together is dedicated to educating families businesses and communities because education is our best weapon against autism. We are the baby boomers of autism and in the near future our State will be flooded with an overwhelming population of adults with autism. Our goal is to help our State find a way to better to serve and understand this growing population. Autism is at an epidemic level especially in New Jersey. It’s our duty as family members of children with autism to make sure our State is prepared for them when they are adults. I see no plan in sight so we need to put together a plan and make sure it’s implemented for the good of our children. Putting the Pieces Together is doing their part to ensure that our future adults with autism have every opportunity to grow, flourish and co exist in this world that is so foreign to them.
Music Therapy with the Jam Cats – I met DJ at Tyler’s Rocking Horse Rehab Camp this summer and thought he was amazing with the children. Every child was engaged and having a great time. This program is a themed weekly program for 10 weeks 1 hour a week on Thursdays at 7pm. The first class starts with All About Me, Fall, Holiday themes and so much more. DJ brings his acoustic guitar, bongo and several other instruments that he and the children will play along with songs that children know and love and new songs that they will grow to love. This is a program that we are very proud to have and if you would like more information on this program you can give us a call. Thanks to our music therapy classes provided by The Jam Cats our children are being exposed to many forms of music including but not limited to Classical, Raggae, disco, rap, 60's, beatles, country, rock and so much more! We can't thank DJ enough for opening the world of music for our children. The instruments our children are learning about are instruments I have never known about and I see the parents enjoying this class as much as the children. I know I am and I'm a grandparent!
*Ian LOVED it! The Jam Cats rule! *As a mom I loved it - so did Crystal. *Tyler came home and searched their site he loved DJ and the program Jam Cats Rock!!!!!
Adaptive Tennis is Here
Jed Baker and Bridget Taylor to PTPT We recently had the honor of hosting 2 very informative speaker meetings at no cost to anyone that attended.
JEFFERSON AWARD Our own President/Co founder, Deborah Wertalik, was an honoree at the prestigious Jefferson Awards Ceremony for 2009. She was one of 26 chosen from over 300 people that were nominated to win this National award. In 1972, along with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and U.S. Senator Robert Taft, Jr., Mr. Beard co-founded the Jefferson Awards for Public Service to create a Nobel Prize for public service. The Jefferson Awards recognize both ordinary people who do extraordinary things and individuals whose public service has had a broad national impact. National winners have included four Justices of the Supreme Court, including Sandra Day O'Connor and Thurgood Marshall; seven Secretaries of State, including Colin Powell and Cyrus Vance; as well as Alan Greenspan, Bob Hope, Lance Armstrong and Stephen Jobs. Over 155 newspapers, television and radio stations herald local "Unsung Heroes" the nation's largest media partnership fostering volunteerism. First, the selectors review acts of courage, vision, dedication, and tenacity. Is there anything outstanding, unique, heroic about the nominee and his or her character? Second, they review the impact on the community. Public service is about serving people and communities. As the nominee addresses important issues facing local communities or the country, has the nominee had a measurable impact? Through our Jefferson Awards Media partners, we are applauding "Unsung Heroes." Eligibility includes volunteers as well as paid professionals who go well above and beyond their expected service. "Unsung" means not normally in the media. The Jefferson Awards are a prestigious national recognition system honoring community and public service in America. Below is the piece that Jessie Zacche wrote that helped the Board to choose Debbie over the many other deserving nominees. Debbie Wertalik is a wonderful grandmother to her grandson Tyler who has autism. Because of Tyler, Debbie and her daughter, Tara, have started a support group, Putting the Pieces Together, for families with special-needs children. She also has started a year-round sports league called Special Angels Recreation so that every child with special needs can play sports like Tee ball, soccer, basketball, bowling, cheerleading and dance classes with their peers. Special Angels is open to any child or family no matter where they live or the nature of the child’s disability. She works tirelessly on these programs as well as the many fund raisers needed to support them such as walks, art auctions, tricky trays, dine to donates, coin tosses and the upcoming motorcycle run and golf outing. Her daughter Tara and other group members assist her but she is the heart and soul of the group that includes more than 100 families. She works night and day to run this organization and to raise funds so that special angels can obtain its own field and eventually its own building to run the programs. As a mother of three special needs children I know what a challenge it is to deal with issues at home and in public; but Debbie goes above and beyond her own family to make things possible for other kids. She has created for us a large extended family. She is a mom to me and a grandmother to my kids as well as a great neighbor and a phenomenal friend and mentor. Our organization would like to thank Debbie for her tireless efforts and many hours of hard work and dedication to our group. She is an inspiration and we are very lucky to have her as our children's advocate. Sincerely A NIGHT WITH DARRYL STRAWBERRY
Our very own Lori Latteri and Wayne Bardowell went and represented us at the Darryl Strawberry Book Signing in Harrison. Many greats were there among them Bernie Williams, Roy White, Mickey Rivers, Robinson Cano, Joe Pepitone, Mike Torrez, Tim Raines, Josh Boone, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Chase Blackburn, Ray Lucas and more.
Lori made sure that everyone heard about our group she even got to speak to the crowd and Wayne donated his services as a photographer for them since they didn’t have one as an act of good faith in hopes that one day they will do something nice for our children. Thanks to Wayne and Lori many sports greats know that our children are out there playing year round sports. Great Job! More Meetings To Come for Deidre and Debbie
President Deborah Wertalik had an opportunity
to meet Deidre and Don Imus recently and Deidre Imus is very
interested in meeting with her to discuss the future of our
children. Both women share similar views on Autism and
are looking forward to a future meeting where they can discuss
doing some wonderful things for our children. Both Deidre and
Don were very impressed with our group. This can be a very wonderful
opportunity for our organization. BORN TO BE WILD MOTORCYCLE RUN FOR AUTISM We would like to thank the many wonderful people that were responsible for making our First Motorcycle Run and Car Show a huge success. With almost 300 bikes and 30 cars participated so we far exceeded our expectations. It was both emotional and exciting and a day our org will never forget. I got to ride in the run with my grandchildren a 1 1/2 hr ride through Bear Mountain in a Bergen County Sheriff's car. The scenery was breath taking and the people who helped us along with our hard working PTPT Staff did an excellent job. Next year we hope to double in size and include a Pig Cook Off to ensure we have enough Pig to go around.
There are many runs for autism but our run will directly affect children already diagnosed with autism and other different needs. Our run will take place on June 7th with a rain date of June 14th. We are registering and getting our wristbands at 10am with a blowout continential breakfast and coffee included in your registration fee. We will be leaving from the Orange Lantern 15 Firehouse Lane Paramus at 12pm and returning to the same location by 1:30pm we are also using the Lord and Taylor parking lot across the street. The ride will be a scenic fully escorted ride to Bear Mountain and back. There are 2 live bands, pig roast, bbq, hot dog cart, hot pretzels, popcorn, funnelcakes, Miller drink specials, car show, giveaways, trophies, Gift Certificates, 5 minute massages, and so much more. A big thanks to Kosco our Harley Davidson sponsor. All cars and bikes invited! Come for a day of excitement and entertainment and a scenic ride for a good cause. Please register now by calling Debbie or Tara at 201-966-8738 to request a mailed packet or email at puttingthepiecestogether1@comcast.net for an emailed copy and we will email our address with the registration form. Our co chairs are Lori Latteri and Jessie Zacche. The ride/car show will be $15 rider $10 passenger for bikes or cars that register by May 31st and day of will be $20 rider and $15 passenger. Wrist bands will be sold for $10 if you don't want to ride and don't have a car to show but want to hang out and celebrate our run. Putting the Pieces Together Honored by NJ Freeholders Our organization was honored at a recent Bergen County Freeholders meeting thanks to Freeholder Walton. Please watch for the cable broadcast in your area it was an Honor and a pleasure to attend their meeting and accept the award. We are so lucky to have our Bergen County Assemblymen, Sheriff Freeholders and local politicians in our corner. Click
Here to Listen to the Freeholders Meeting Speech
HEARTS 4 AUTISM WALK FOR PTPT AND SAR We would like to thank the
many wonderful people that were responsible for making our First
Walk a huge success. With over 500 walkers we far exceeded our
expectations. It was both emotional and exciting and a day our
org will never forget. It was a magical moment for our children
and every child that attended with so much to do and all free.
Our walk benefiting the children already diagnosed will take place on Saturday, April 25th with a rain date of Sunday, April 26th. Our walk will start at the North Arlington Borough Hall 214 Ridge Road North Arlington in the parking lot and will end at Ripp Collins Field River Road North Arlington with a resource fair and carnival. Check in time is 10am and the walk will start at 12pm. There will be live entertainment, snacks, a resource fair and things for the children to do. We are looking for walkers to start a team and get sponsors the first 100 individuals to register and collect $100 or more will get a shirt free. Lauren Ryan and Tara Banuls are our co chairs and have worked hard to ensure a very successful and fun filled walk. We are also looking for Corporate Sponsors see link below to find out price levels and what you get for your sponsorship. You will find that you get a lot of advertisement for a lot less. We will have special performances also the day will be incredible so please join us register early to get your walk kit and start and start your team make a goal and try and achieve that goal. It’s for a good cause our children.
PRE WALK REGISTRATION TEA All interesed in walking on April 25 should come to our pre registration tea. Refreshments will be served while our co chair and the local Girl Scouts explain the walk day of events. You will register your team or yourself and get your packets that day. Many valuable pieces of information to share to make your walk team successful. This Sunday February 22nd 3pm Senior Building 214 Ridge Road North Arlington in the Borough Hall Parking Lot please come children welcome and please Walk so we can continue to give children with Different Needs Choices! HEARTS FOR AUTISM'S FIRST CORPORATE SPONSOR We would like to thank SIMS Metal Management for
their generous donation as a corporate sponsor in our upcoming
Hearts 4 Autism Walk in April. We would like to thank them
for always supporting us and our mission to give children with
different needs the choices they deserve. Please visit their
website for more information about this wonderful corporation. SPARKS VISITS THE NETS DANCERS Our very own SPARKS Cheer Dance Squad had the
honor of meeting and hanging with the Nets Dancers at the Nets
private gym recently. The girls did warm ups with the
dancers and performed our routine for them and then watched
the Nets Dancers perform their routine and they were
star struck! Thanks to the Nets Dancers for making our girls
feel incredible. They gave them autographed pictures, tee shirts
and more important gave them something they won't soon forget!
What a memorable night for all. SPECIAL ANGELS BASKETBALL VS. LPD SHOOTING FOR THE STARS Please join our Special Angels "Shooting Stars" as they play members of the Lyndhurst Police Dept on March 21, 2009 at Lyndhurst High School starting at 6:30pm. Special guests will include Sly the Nets Basketball Mascot. Mayor Di Lascio and Paul Passamano will be playing on the children's team. Tickets are $5.00 per person and there will be refreshments and an ad journal for any business that would like to advertise. For more information please contact Debbie or Tara at 201-966-8738.
CAPE Program We have been asked by the Bergen County Special Services to share an office space in Paramus 2 days a week at their CAPE Program a one stop shop for autism this is a very big honor for us. We will have the opportunity to get more help for our parents and more connections to speaker meetings and the opportunity to use their facility to host speaker meetings and workshops. I would like to thank the BCSS for their confidence in our programs and for feeling that our organization is capable of providing quality services for children affected by autism and other different needs. Click here for more information on the CAPE Program We started our Cheer/Dance Program, our Exceptional Dance Program and Social Skills Groups (there are 3). We are in the process of starting adaptive Tennis, Life Skills Group, Karate and more. We have hosted many wonderful and informative speaker meetings to educate our parents and we are very proud of our Hinkle Finkle and Prior 4 part series taking place in December and January. We are lucky to have Erica Goodman working with our parents teaching them how to get therapies including ABA covered by our insurance companies and we have many wonderful speaker meetings coming up check our calendar at www.specialangels.eboard.com password sports to find out what is coming up next. Our upcoming Motorcycle Run in May and our Walk in April are very exciting please contact Debbie or Tara at 201-966-8738 for more information. Sparks
Flyer Sparks Reg Form PTPT’s First
Annual Tricky Tray
OTHER NEWS Our own Lisa Jedrejczyk and
Tara Banuls are designing a house flag for autism and PTPT we
are very excited and when their project is completed you will
be able to purchase a flag and hang it proudly outside your
front door. WELCOME TO OUR WORLD ART SHOW Our org is very proud of our art show. The NJMC Flyway Gallery has allowed us to have a month out of a year to hang our children’s art work on the gallery walls for anyone who visits the NJMC to see. This is an incredible opportunity for our children. We have a dessert reception and people come to honor the children and see their artwork. The art show gets press attention and our children feel very important. This is a free event to all that come to enjoy fine art and good desserts and coffee. We invite everyone from the Governor to local political figures so we can show the people that can make a difference in our children’s lives what our children are capable of.We then hold an auction at a fine dining establishment with a DJ that donates his time to dazzle us with his fine choice of music. The art pieces are displayed, bidding paddles are handed out, the room is filled with people with kind hearts and we are surrounded by great food. I still remember our first of several art auctions and it was magical. Senator Sarlo & Weinberg spoke and brought tears to our eyes with their wonderful words of hope. On hand was Lyndhurst's Mayor DiLascio and his wife, the NAFD sent Robert Mulbacher and Robert Kairys to bid on a canvas of their Blue Fire Truck, North Arlington's Mayor Massa and his wife along with Councilmen Tanelli and Granell attended, North Arlington's newly elected BOE member Sharon Granell was there and lots of parents family and friends. As the pieces were auctioned off to the highest bidder you could see the proud parents tearfully feeling what every parent wants to feel. There was a DVD playing through the night of our children playing sports and having a great time at different events and you could see the guests amazed by our children and their abilities. Autism awareness is very important and that is why PTPT will continue to have events like this and our art show and action will be an annual event that I hope will continue to grow each year.
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