P.G. Chambers School Holds Virtual Events to Support Students

On June 5 – June 7, P.G. Chambers School will host a virtual Walk.Run.Fun 5K to raise essential funds to support the educational and therapy needs of its students with disabilities. Participants can complete their 5K walk or run on the treadmill or in their own neighborhood and then share photos and cheer one another on to success via social media. For additional details and to register for the virtual race, visit www.runsignup.com/walkrunfun5k.

Event co-chair Abbey Horwitz of Cedar Grove shares, “As a parent of a PGCS student and board member at P.G. Chambers School, I see the impact that the pandemic is having on our children and families. I also see the resiliency of the teachers and therapists, as they continue to provide creative and engaging virtual instruction and therapy to our children with special needs. The funds raised by the 5K are so important in making this exceptional programming possible during these unprecedented times.” Also co-chairing the event is West Caldwell resident Eric Elbell, a runner and dedicated P.G. Chambers School board member for nine years, who understands the importance of philanthropy in helping the students at P.G. Chambers School thrive.

The event comes on the heels of P.G. Chambers School’s first-ever virtual Menus for the Mind event where over 300 people joined from the comfort of their homes on May 7, 2020 to pay tribute to students and celebrate the 65th anniversary of P.G. Chambers School. Menus for the Mind raised much needed funds to support the children’s learning and therapy needs today, including an expanded powered mobility program. In addition to a special guest appearance from Ali Stroker, renowned advocate and Tony Award winning actress, Parent speaker Lt. Victor Talamini of Towaco shared how the powered mobility program has helped his daughter, Frankie. “Her wheelchair is not a convenience. Her chair serves as her feet. It has opened a whole new world to her…It has, as predicted, allowed her to be independent. It has changed her life and ours.”

Gratitude goes to Menus for the Mind co-chairs Jerry Rose, resident of New Vernon and owner of Jerry Rose Floral and Event Design in Maplewood and Joanne Balady, resident of Short Hills and owner of Balady Promotions, Inc. for their leadership in making this a successful event for the P.G. Chambers School community. Rose, who has served as a Menus co-chair for six years, has the truly remarkable ability to inspire others to join him in support of P.G. Chambers School. Rose shared, “My hope is that others will join me in support of the Powered Mobility Program because when I heard the story about Victor Talamimi and his daughter Frankie and the independence she gained and felt from receiving her power wheelchair that touched me in a way that I hope and want every child to feel. Like Frankie said, we want all children to go from their learners permit to their driver’s license.”

Balady, a former P.G. Chambers School board member and Menus co-chair for the last eight years, uses her pragmatic approach to engage others in the mission of the school. Rose and Balady share a passion for giving back to those who need it most, and together they led a group of 27 volunteers to create this annual event, which was quickly transformed to a virtual event to abide by social distancing regulations. This history-making event can be viewed through the School’s website.

P.G. Chambers School is a nonprofit organization reaching 900 children with physical, language, sensory, and learning disabilities in New Jersey. Programs include a private school for students with multiple disabilities, early intervention for infants and toddlers, therapies for hundreds of students in public and private schools; and Kids Count Child Care, an inclusive childcare program. For more information about P.G. Chambers School, please visit www.chambersschool.org