Children with special needs and their families will once again be able to enjoy the fun of spring during this year’s Burlington County Spring Resource Fair and Egg Hunt.
The annual event is being sponsored and organized by the Burlington County Commissioners, Burlington County Sheriff’s Office and Burlington County Special Services School District and will be held Saturday, March 23, from 10 AM to 1 PM, at the Burlington County Special Services School, 20 Pioneer Boulevard, Westampton.
Come out for sensory-friendly egg hunts and other games, music, food, touch-a-truck displays, plus dozens of vendors, agencies and providers with information about programs and services that can assist families.
In the event of rain or other inclement weather, the Resource Fair and Egg Hunt will be held on Sunday, March 24.
“Since this is the season of egg hunts, spring festivals and parties, we want all Burlington County to feel included while safely enjoying the fun,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson. “This event is one of the only ones in the area specifically designed to be sensory-friendly, and we’re excited to continue our partnership with the Special Services School District and the Sheriff’s Office to make it memorable for children and their families.”
“We’re thrilled to help host community events like this that allow families to enjoy all the fun associated with spring and its holidays,” added Sheriff James Kostoplis. “The event is also another opportunity for our officers and other first responders to interact with residents and build stronger community ties. We plan to distribute information about safety and the many services the Sheriff’s Office offers, including our enhanced locator system for vulnerable children.”
The Sheriff’s Office upgraded its locator technology to AngelSense assistive technology to better track and locate vulnerable residents, including children with developmental disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as adults with dementia or Alzheimer’s.
The upgrade was funded with a $150,000 grant from the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance.
The egg hunts will be conducted in small groups and with sensory aids, including eggs emitting sounds, flashing lights and magnetic devices. These hunts will be held at 10 AM, 11 AM and noon.
Children will also be able to enjoy the newly updated Special Services School Playground in the rear of the Westampton school campus. The playground includes 12,500-square-feet of safe, accessible space and equipment specially designed for children and adults with special needs. The equipment is completely accessible and barrier free and includes adaptive swings, sensory friendly walks, slides, playhouses and more.
The playground was funded through a special cost-share agreement between the school district and Burlington County Commissioners.
Burlington County Special Services School District Board of Education President Tyler Burrell said the upcoming Spring Resource Fair and Egg Hunt was another example of the County’s support for all children and their families.
“The Burlington County Commissioners and Sheriff’s Office have each gone above and beyond to support not only the Special Services School and its students, but children from across the county. Our school district values this on-going partnership with them to create a fun-filled Spring Resource Fair and Egg Hunt,” said Burrell. “By working together, this event will undoubtedly be an exciting day for families of children of all different abilities.”