Spare Some for Autism Sensitive Santa Event Returns to Town

RALEIGH, N.C. - Nov. 14, 2014 - PRLog -- Spare Some for Autism (SSfA), a nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is holding its third annual Sensitive Santa Event on Sunday, November 23, 2014, from 9:30 a.m.-noon at Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh. The event is open to families with individuals on the spectrum, and siblings are welcome.

During this special time to visit Santa reserved for Children with Autism, Crabtree Valley Mall will make its Santa area “Sensory Friendly,” with dimmer lights and quieter surroundings. The mall will be closed to accommodate the children, and a photographer will be on hand if people choose to order and purchase photos of the special day.

“This is our third year for this great event, and it just keeps getting bigger and bigger,” said Beth Jarvis, Executive Director of SSfA. “Children dream for a chance to sit on Santa’s lap, tell him their Christmas wishes and have their picture taken by one of his helpers. For children with ASD, the traditional atmosphere of this holiday experience is overwhelming and stressful. Our event provides a chance for ASD children to visit with Santa in a sensory-friendly environment.”

The NC State Women’s Gymnastic Team will be on hand as Santa’s Helpers to assist at the event. In addition to Santa and his helpers, a number of other sensory-friendly events such as coloring, craft making, Lego stations, letter writing to Santa and more will be available so kids may play and meet others while they wait.

All mall entrances (but not department store entrances) will be open, but Jarvis suggests parking close to the Panera Bread entrance on the back side of the mall since it is close to the Santa area.

For more information about the event, volunteering and participating, please contact Jarvis at (919) 602-7370 or email beth@sparesomeforautism.org.

Spare Some for Autism was founded in Raleigh, N.C., by Beth Jarvis a local CEO and mother of an autistic daughter. The nonprofit organization’s mission “is to improve the quality of life for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder” and is “dedicated to funding programs that will directly impact the individuals that suffer from ASD and allow them to achieve their highest level of independence within their home, school, and community, all while gaining respect and support for themselves. Spare Some for Autism also seeks to support families affected by ASD by educating them on such topics as literacy and coping with disabilities so that families will be better prepared to support each other.”

For more information on Spare Some for Autism, call (919) 602-7370 or visit www.sparesomeforautism.org.