A FUN Time For Everyone

To the Editor:

Thank you for the FUN year 2012 graduates!

Families United in Newtown (FUN) — a recreation program in memory of my autistic son, Tyler Jones, which offers a space for Newtown and local area parents with special needs children the opportunity to get a break while their children are cared for by Newtown High School Honors Society students and other volunteers — had our end-of-the-year meeting on June 10 at Dickinson Park. It was a tremendous success and a lot of “fun” for the special needs children, siblings, parents, Honors Society students and volunteers. Participants were able to enjoy the beautiful park — swinging, sliding, running, jumping in a bouncy house, playing Legos, making crafts, playing basketball, tennis, hula hoops and water balloons. Wow! Many thanks to John Voket (on the guitar) and Lindsey Jones (on the violin) for the wonderful music you played for us during our pizza party! My Place graciously donated pizza which was enjoyed so much that there was not one morsel left. Many thanks to you My Place!

Special thanks to the following graduating Honors Society students that worked so hard to develop and implement the program as well as provide the care for the kids during the year: Mike Mossbarger, Rob Beier, Alex Kelly, Ajit Singh, Alex Taylor, Jess Lynch, Lauren Harrison, Lucy Riley, Maddie Dorso, Meaghan Davis, and John Hampford. You were all great and we will miss you! Good luck at college and please come to our FUN meetings when you are home! Thanks to everyone that helped make all our events special. Tyler was there in spirit and he was smiling!

Thank you Newtown for your outstanding community support of our program. The generous donations given to the graduating students from Ferris Farm Creamery, Edmond Town Hall, and Newtown Bucks were greatly appreciated. Fun was truly had by all this year and we look forward to having our next meeting the end of July. Thank you to Newtown for the outstanding community support of our program. If you are interested in the program for yourself, to volunteer, for a family member, or a friend, e-mail funforthedisabled@gmail.net or check us out on Face book — Families United in Newtown.

Linda Jones

Mother of Tyler Jones

and Founder of FUN

16 Walnut Tree Hill Road, Sandy Hook                       June 27, 2012