A Special Santa for Children With Autism and Other Disabilities will Visit

The Somerset County Park Commission's Therapeutic Recreation staff has arranged a peaceful and sensory friendly environment with Santa next weekend that is conducive to having Santa visit with children with Autism and other developmental disabilities.

Santa Claus has arranged to visit the Therapeutic Recreation Activity Center at Park Commission Headquarters, 355 Milltown Road in Bridgewater, between 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m.

As opposed to the mall, the Therapeutic Recreation Activity Center will be devoid of crowds, music, and the chaos of the holiday season.

“We discovered last year that the environment that we created was well accepted by both children and adults,” commented Dina Trunzo, CTRS, Manager, Therapeutic Recreation. “We are providing families an opportunity to capture a holiday portrait and memories of a child visiting with Santa that many  families may take for granted.” 

While waiting for the opportunity to meet with Santa and have a photo taken, children with a disability will engage in a game or a craft nearby under Therapeutic Recreation staff supervision and not have to stand in line.  

If a child is not ready to visit with Santa when it is his or her turn, an opportunity will be provided when he or she is ready. 

Photos may be individual or the entire family providing one member has autism or a developmental disability. Each family will receive a 4 by 6-inch photo with Santa.  The TR department will keep all photos on file and email upon request. 

Fee for photos with Santa is $10 per family residing in a participating TR municipality and $15 per family if residing outside of TR municipalities.
Out of County registration will be accepted beginning Tuesday, Nov. 26, if space is available for $20 per family.

Reservations may be made by calling the TR Department at 908-526-5650 or Relay Service 711 for speech and/or hearing impaired. Information on this event and other Somerset County Park Commission activities may be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org.