PSL Students Resurrect "A Walk in Their Shoes" to Benefit Footprints Center for Autism
by Emily Schueren
A Walk In Their Shoes took place on April 10th, 2021 on the Perry Local Schools campus. After three months of meetings and careful planning PSL's was ready to finally put on A Walk In Their Shoes. This event was coordinated by Perry Service Learning students Emily Schueren, Claire Scales, Josie Gill, and Tessa VanDeweel in collaboration with Footprints Center for Autism. The event was a fundraiser for Footprints Center for Autism and also to bring awareness about autism to those in our community.
The event raised a total of $1,788.32 through t-shirt sales, a bake sale, and ornaments that were handcrafted by students at FCA. |
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“It was great to have the FCA students and family members there participating as well as members from our Perry community. We surpassed our initial goal of raising $500 by more than tripling that amount, which is absolutely amazing,” says Claire Scales. “I am so thankful to everyone that came out and helped and supported our event!” As mentioned by Claire Scales the initial goal amount for this event was $500 and we absolutely crushed that goal.
Along with our bake sale and ornament tables we had many different vendors and activities set up in the Perry High School bus loop. We had an informational table about Footprints Center for Autism, a table all about music therapy and the benefits it has for children with autism, a study called Kids First put on by Case Western Reserve University, a DJ, a table about adult services, and finally an area where the FCA kids could play. Amanda Schueren, a former PSL student and our music therapy vendor, stated that “A Walk In Their Shoes was an amazing opportunity to participate in something that clearly means so much to many people. Talking about music therapy with the parents, playing music with the kids, and seeing the overall joy that was shared throughout the event was heartwarming and a great way to spend the morning. This fundraiser was an amazing event and I could not be more proud of my little sister and her fellow PSL classmates for putting together a great event for an even greater cause.”
The outcome of support and love from our community for such a great cause was overwhelming. We had about 100 participants attend the walk and these participants include former PSL students/families, families of the organizers, FCA staff and families, and PSL/PHS students. Without the support of our community and amazing teachers Mr. Soeder, Mrs. Trentanelli, Nicole Best and Erin Bolyard none of this would have been possible.
Along with our bake sale and ornament tables we had many different vendors and activities set up in the Perry High School bus loop. We had an informational table about Footprints Center for Autism, a table all about music therapy and the benefits it has for children with autism, a study called Kids First put on by Case Western Reserve University, a DJ, a table about adult services, and finally an area where the FCA kids could play. Amanda Schueren, a former PSL student and our music therapy vendor, stated that “A Walk In Their Shoes was an amazing opportunity to participate in something that clearly means so much to many people. Talking about music therapy with the parents, playing music with the kids, and seeing the overall joy that was shared throughout the event was heartwarming and a great way to spend the morning. This fundraiser was an amazing event and I could not be more proud of my little sister and her fellow PSL classmates for putting together a great event for an even greater cause.”
The outcome of support and love from our community for such a great cause was overwhelming. We had about 100 participants attend the walk and these participants include former PSL students/families, families of the organizers, FCA staff and families, and PSL/PHS students. Without the support of our community and amazing teachers Mr. Soeder, Mrs. Trentanelli, Nicole Best and Erin Bolyard none of this would have been possible.
About the author: Emily Schueren volunteered at Footprints Center for Autism as a member of the PSL class of 2021. She plans to attend the University of Cincinnati where she was awarded the Cincinnatus Scholarship.