WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES DECEMBER 28, 2017 43
Autism charity in Glendale partners
with car donation program
BY RYAN KELLEY
RKELLEY@RIDGEWOODTIMES.COM
TWITTER @R_KELLEY6
A Glendale-based nonprofit is
partnering with a car donation
program to help raise money
for continued programming and a new
community center.
Play4Autism, a foundation that focuses
on increasing public awareness
and acceptance of autism, announced
its new partnership in December with
Charitable Adult Rides and Services
(CARS), a nonprofi t that turns donated
vehicles into money for charities.
President and founder of Play4Autism,
Greg Vasicek, said that the new
partnership will allow him to get
closer to his goal of opening a Kidz
into Action Community Center.
“With support from CARS, we will
be able to further spread awareness
about autism, plus continue to off er
hope to children and their families,”
Vasicek said.
The partnership between the two
organizations is aimed at providing
donors with the opportunity to get
rid of their old cars, boats or ATVs
while contributing to the monetary
needs of Play4Autism. Donors are
completely assisted through the process,
with free towing and a tax break
opportunity.
Once CARS sells a donated vehicle,
the proceeds go directly toward
Play4Autism’s programs to help
children cope with sensory issues, behavioral
issues, cognition and motor
skills, which are common struggles of
people with the disease.
“We love our partnership with
Play4Autism,” said CARS Director of
Partner Development Kathleen Walters.
“Greg and his team are always
looking for new opportunities to help
provide resources for children within
the Autism Spectrum. Each donated
vehicle helps their mission to provide
sports activities for children in the
New Jersey/New York areas.”
According to Play4Autism, their
Kidz in Action Program uses
team-playing and physical activities
to improve children’s self-esteem and
social interaction. This can increase
their communication and leadership
skills, as well as teach them how to
sustain regular lifelong physical
activity for a healthy, productive and
fulfi lling life.
Vasicek said that many parents of
kids in his programs have expressed
a desire for aft er-school and weekend
programs, which led to his mission of
starting the community center. He has
been raising money for the past two
years, but said that he is still a long way
from making it happen. Vasicek hopes
to have a space that is open seven days
a week with sports, arts and craft s,
and music programs that incorporate
volunteer groups from the community.
For more information about how
to donate an unused car to support
Play4Autism, visit the CARS website
at www.careasy.org.
Play4Autism will also be hosting
an Autism Awareness Action Day
event on April 28, 2018, at The Shops
at Atlas Park.
SPORTS
ORTHODONTICS WWW.GLENRIDGEORTHODONTIST.COM
Est. 1976 FREE*
Consultation
and Exam
WWW.GLENRIDGEORTHODONTIST.COM
Medicaid Approved
Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics
Vincent J. Bilello, D.D.S., ABO Diplomate,
Specialists in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
65-34 Myrtle Ave., Glendale, NY 11385
Most Insurance Accepted As Partial or Full Payment
1-718-381-2965
Image via Pixabay
