Hundreds of kids came out to play flag football on a bright Sunday afternoon, June 7, at The Park at East Hills as a part of the fifth annual GAME ON for Autism event.
Founded by Roslyn student Justin Wasserman, this year’s GAME ON for Autism flag football event came back even bigger as they are partnering for the first time with the Roslyn Flag Football League as well as bringing in former NFL Miami Dolphins and New York Jets quarterback Jay Fiedler.
“The event has grown truthfully every year. We continue to get more people involved and it has grown because of the really good vibes at the event,” said Jocelyn Wasserman, Justin’s mother and board member ofSid Jacobson’s JCC. “People are excited to come out and spend a day in the park as a family, whether their kids play flag football or they could come support in another way. There are so many different things to do here if you have a child with special needs or a typical kid who is excited to play flag football. “
The event featured a full day of food, music and lively flag football games. Boys and girls in grades one through seven competed in games on three fields, while a group of volunteer mothers took part in a small, friendly game on a separate field. Volunteer parents and local students also served as coaches and referees for the games throughout the day.
They also raised funds for Camp Kehilla, a summer day camp created by Sid Jacobson’s JCC dedicated to a customized summer experience for neurodivergent children, teens and young adults ages five through 21. The funds help them build strong programs while strengthening their local community.
“Many of our campers receive scholarships and funds from here that are part of the way that our camp operates,” said Taylor Graf, associate executive director of Social Services at Sid Jacobson’s JCC. “We have been the recipient of this event for the past four years and it is amazing what the impact of this even does for our campaign. It has helped us build adventure parks, playgrounds and strengthen our enrichment programs.”
Former NFL quarterback, Jay Fiedler, also attended the event, providing a lot of support and star recognition to an afternoon built around community and purpose.
“I’ve always supported events like these. I’ve been working with youth for over 25 years, running camps and clinics from the time I was actively playing and through my retirement,” said Fiedler. “I’m always involved with events like this and supporting such great causes like Camp Kehilla and especially one that revolves around football. There’s nothing like seeing the joy on people’s faces as they’re giving joy to others.”
As a part of supporting children with special needs, one of the biggest messages Camp Kehilla and the JCC emphasized at this event was inclusivity and building a strong community focused on strengthening each other.
“The most important thing that we do is build communities,” said Michael Schlank, executive director of Sid Jacobson’s JCC. “I think the world we live in right now has a tremendous need for people to have places where they can come together in common cause. We have to lift each other up and that’s what this event does and that’s what we do every single day of the year.”
Source: LI Press
