50 Cars for 30 More Weeks

By Josee Li
Reporter

Autism is known as a mental condition characterized by difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language and abstract concepts. Together at the BLAST (Bigs and Littles Autism Support Team) program, Bigs (high schoolers) mentor and aid Littles (elementary school children diagnosed with autism), so that autism is not just a label that defines who these children are as people. The BLAST program helps these kids grow as independent, kind, respectful, and expressive children so that one day, they can become stronger individuals. They believe in hope and improvement, and they never give up. Each week, Bigs in the BLAST program work with their Littles on comprehension, communication, expression, and social skills. After working closely and personally with their Littles, many Bigs are proud to state that they are able to see progress and improvement in their Littles over the many weeks of persistence and hard work. Even small things, such as making eye contact, or asking a question in a conversation, are considered huge successes with each individual child. Dedication and compassion are what drive Bigs to connect and aid their Littles.

However, in January, the BLAST program was having trouble with funds to continue next year. Fortunately, due to Mr. Gamble’s constant support, the marching band’s generosity, Dr. Dawn Haaz’s cooperation, and the altruistic spirits of my high school volunteers, I was able to organize a fundraising car wash at the Newtown Ambulance on May 28.
It was not an easy process and there were many obstacles to overcome, such as starting out with no supplies at all. Thankfully, due to the marching band and the donations of so many generous peers, we collected an overabundance of supplies.

The day of the car wash was a beautiful, sunny 88 degrees. Cars were pollen-infested, and the event was a huge success, as a constant line of cars was ready to get washed. Word had gotten out and people in the community came to support autism and the BLAST program. Parents of the BLAST program came and advertised. There was even a man who came to donate because his nephew had low-functioning autism. Later, it was revealed that he had generously donated $50.

The volunteers washed a total of 50 cars in 3 hours and raised $659, more than what was ever expected. A special thanks to the volunteers: Josee Li, Aleena Somy, Jackie Koo, Jennifer Chen, Dylan Klevan, Melody Wu, Nicole Rafalofsky, Jaden Schoenfeld, Annabelle Boyd, Katerina Brilleman, Matilda Brilleman, Anita Szoke, Anne Johnson, Sara Millman, Abby Millman, Andrew Sullivan, and Mallory Durkin. These volunteers were troopers and were able to wash fifty cars under the hot sun out of the kindness of their hearts. Another special thanks to the marching band and Riley Gallagher, Sam Schnell, Margaret Zheng, Yasmin Barcuki, and Jordan Galing for donating so many clean, new supplies so that the car wash could be put into motion. Thank you again to Mr. Gamble, who agreed to be the supervisor and administrator of my car wash and who offered constant support and motivation.

Many people who came to get their car wash learned something new about autism and left with the satisfaction of supporting a great cause. Due to the great success of the car wash, Bigs will be able to see their Littles again next year, thanks to the support of their community, peers, supervisors, and family. Those 50 cars were able to secure another 30 weeks of Bigs’ mentoring their Littles, which goes a long way.

Personally, I’ve learned that we need to support more of these wonderful programs in our community, which is why I have formed a club that will start next year in the fall, tentatively called the IDD Support Club, or the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Support Club. We as a club work together to have a positive impact on the lives of kids with intellectual and developmental disabilities by raising money for organizations that support our overall goals, increasing awareness in our community, and fighting for fair treatment by ending social and physical isolation.

If you are interested, or want to learn more, please join the club next year. The club, which is devoted to supporting kids with intellectual and developmental disabilities, can also help other high schoolers find their passion and grow as active teenage volunteers and members in our community.

​High schoolers can learn to make an impact in their community, especially for those with disabilities. On May 28, 16 students of CRN were able to display their compassion for our community by washing cars for a great cause. Those 50 cars were able to fund 30 more weeks, or another year, of mentoring so that one day, Littles can grow up and become independent individuals.

---