Students Raise Money for Easter Seals

Pictured (l to r): Jeffrey Witman, Ed.D., Paulette Ketzner '13, Matt Ernst '98 (Easter Seals) and Craig Shapiro '12. Shapiro took the lead in planning and leading program sessions, while Ketzner headed the fundraising effort.

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Thursday, January 19, 2012

Students in Professor Jeffrey Witman’s Fall 2011 Leadership in Therapeutic Recreation course worked with the Easter Seals of Central Pennsylvania on a program, Acquiring Community Experiences and Skills (ACES), created for children with Asperger’s Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism.

“This was a great example of service learning,” said Witman, Ed.D. “It resulted in valuable help for Easter Seals, and expanded knowledge and experience for our students.”

In addition to participating in activities with the children, the students conducted a fundraiser to support three scholarships for the program this spring.

“We truly appreciate the support of both York College and the students,” said Matt Ernst ’98, director of therapeutic recreation for Easter Seals of Central Pennsylvania. “Donations such as these allow individuals to participate that might otherwise not be able to. Support, both corporate and individual, is what helps to keep our programs operating.”

What some students thought of the ACES program:

“Participating in the program was an amazing experience. I learned a great deal of information ranging from recreation ideas, planning and implementing, and working with that specific population. The most rewarding aspect of being involved with ACES is seeing the growth in the participants. I was able to witness a participant not wanting to do anything for a few weeks and then later getting really involved in the activities.”

- Craig Shapiro ’12 (York, Pa.)

“The kids were awesome to work with and get to know. It was also great getting the kids to do a scavenger hunt around YCP.”

- Breeanne Allen ’13 (Oxford, Pa.)

“I loved interacting with and getting to know everyone.”

- Megan Weller ’12 (Dallastown, Pa.)

“I enjoyed the interaction with the participants. I helped out with the scavenger hunt around campus, and it was nice to see the participants take the initiative to ask people they didn’t know.”

- Emily Cook ’13 (Crofton, Md.)

“I went to the ACES scavenger hunt. I was able observe the types of behaviors that participants expressed out in the community.”

- Barbara Gifford  ’12 (Howell, N.J.)

“It was great to see the kids enjoying themselves with smiles to go around. I also ran into a kid I met with Tennis for Kids years ago; it was great to see him doing well.”

- Kyle Hinkle ’13 (Manchester, Pa.)

“ACES provides a wonderful opportunity to interact with the participants, and everyone benefits from the program – even the volunteers.”

- Alexa Vella ’12 (Scotch Plains, N.J.)