RBAF Invites All to Back-To-School Carnival This Sunday!
By Katie Larkin
This Sunday, August 25—end your beach day with a fun day at Rockaway Beach Autism Families (RBAF) Fourth Annual Back-To-School Carnival at St. Camillus Church parking lot. From a bounce house, water dunk tank, carnival games with prizes galore, popcorn, cotton candy and snow cone machines, face painting, food for all palates and more—RBAF will deliver a day all families will treasure forever. The local 501C3 nonprofit is not only hosting a back-to-school giveaway (including noise canceling headphones) to students, but also giving back to the community by donating proceeds to St. Camillus parish.
Since 2019, RBAF has hosted its end-of-summer back-to-school events at Knights of Columbus, and then last year at Bayswater Park, but for RBAF founder, Kami-Leigh Agard, 2024 had to be a game changer due to what the community from all ends of the peninsula and Broad Channel centrally needed.
“Comically, our first water dunk tank was something two dads created. Literally, pouring water with a bucket over a plucky volunteer. However, after seeing the fun activities the Ancient Order of the Hibernians (AOH) hosted for families with the Rockaway/Breezy Point Irish Festival, I was inspired with the families they drew in from all ends of Rockaway, Broad Channel and beyond. A huge undertaking, but why not? I phoned John Moroney of the AOH, and with his guidance, RBAF is making it happen. And again, in true Rockaway fashion, the community stepped up. From RBAF’s board members, and Father James Rodriguez, Mary Kay, Mr. Wiley (of St. Camillus and St. Rose of Lima Church), Rockaway Special Olympics’ Director Joe Featherston, Jacob Zuniga of Empanadas On The Rise, Rockaway WISH, The Rockaway Times, then, and now, incredibly, RBAF is actually hosting a Back-To-School Carnival at St. Camillus!” Agard exclaimed.
RBAF Board Vice Chair Christine Dydzuhn, a mom of twins, daughter, Katrina, and son, Patrick, who is on the autism spectrum, has been with RBAF from day one, and proud of the special needs platform she co-created with Agard. She said, “We want the community to know who RBAF is and what we stand for. From children to adults with families on the spectrum living right here—RBAF is here for all of us, and anything is possible,” Dydzuhn said.
Venus Ramos, RBAF board co-vice chair, added, “Planning events such as this Carnival involves several critical components and steps to ensure success as we address target questions: ‘What’s the ultimate goal of the event? Who’s our audience?’ As a mom of a now high school graduate autistic son, I remember when I felt so alone when he was little, and we had few options of what to do as a family. With RBAF, I’m proud to change that for families, and my son and daughters are so actively involved. They all work side by side with me organizing RBAF’s events. RBAF has given us purpose. RBAF is a family!”
Rockaway Beach Autism Families’ Back-To-School Carnival is this Sunday, August 25, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Camillus parking lot (Beach 100th Street and Shore Front Parkway). Admission is $10 for children 12 and under/ $15 for adults. Tickets sold at the gate. Food tickets are $5 a plate and include choice of hamburger, hot dogs, barbecue chicken, chicken fingers with sides of French fries, rice, salad and more. Beverages are included with the price of food. Proceeds benefit St. Camillus Parish. For families in financial need, email: kami@rockawaybeachautismfamilies.org. If interested in being a vendor or donating a raffle gift, contact Jacob Zuniga by emailing: empanadaontherise@outlook.com or Kami-Leigh Agard: kami@rockawaybeachautismfamilies.org.
For more info, visit: Rockaway Beach Autism Families on Facebook/Instagram or www.rockawaybeachautismfamilies.org
