Youla Efthimiou, left, Thanos Kombaogiannis and Play4Autism Founder Greg Vasicek attend a day of festivities in Middle Village last weekend to raise awareness about autism.
Children and families from throughout Queens gathered at St. Margaret’s Church in Middle Village last Saturday for a day of games, art and food in the name of spreading awareness about autism.
The nonprofit Play4Autism, which is based in Middle Village but works with children from all over, sponsored the event, which included everything from a bouncy castle to miniature golf and a disc jockey. The funds raised during the day of festivities will benefit the nonprofit, which was founded by Middle Village resident Greg Vasicek in 2011.
The group provides a number of free support services and activities for children with autism, from hockey games – Vasicek was a professional hockey player in Great Britain, Germany and France – to programs designed to help individuals with self-esteem and communication skills. Individuals on the autism spectrum can face difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors.
“The community has been so supportive of us and awareness has really spread,” Vasicek said.
The nonprofit has planned a number of upcoming benefits, including a “Zombie Walk” in Middle Village on Oct. 13. For more information about the events, or about the group in general, visit www.play4autism.org, email info@play4autism.org, or call (718) 894-3400.
Story and Photos by Anna Gustafson
Children from throughout the neighborhood, and beyond, had fun playing on the bouncy slides.
Oliva Guzman, 2 1/2, of Middle Village, works on an art project inside St. Margaret’s.
Sebastian Caracci, 6, showed off his miniature golf skills at the fundraiser.
Anthony Caruana, left, and Robert Mikol, from the Original Carlo’s Pizza, which has been in Middle Village since 1966, handed out slices during the festivities.
