Category: Events
A Special Race for A Special Space
Running to make a difference
5K run raises money for special needs scholarships
October 7, 2012
By Michelle Horst
Journal staff writer
(mhorst@journal-news.net)
journal-news.net
SHENANDOAH JUNCTION - For children with special needs, Bonnie Zampino created a place for them to go, and now she is raising money to provide those children a way.
A Special Space opened in Charles Town on Aug. 22, and is a before-and after-school center for children all along the special needs spectrum. Zampino, the president and founder of the center, said that she has heard from many parents who are interested in her program, but are unable to attend due to financial constraints.
“I have been approached by moms who are homeschooling their special needs child, and they would love for their kids to be able to come to A Special Space for socialization, but cannot afford it,” Zampino said, adding that many parents … Read More »
Ultra Marathon for Autism – Support Rob and A Special Space!
Hello,
Every year, I run races of various distances around the eastern part of the country. So far this year, I have run a 12-hour ultra-marathon in Charleston, SC in order to help raise awareness of Autism with permission of Autism Speaks.
My son Aidan has been directly affected by autism. Aidan struggles every day with a condition that has forever changed the fabric of his life. This cause has been near and dear to me since “Bugga” was diagnosed with autism 3 years ago. He is five now and doing great…thank God. I am so very blessed in every way that I thought I would take the insanity of running long distances and put it to good use.
I am going to run my next ultra-marathon in the beautiful mountains of the Pisgah National Forest near Brevard, NC. The race is the Qu’est-ce que c’est? Aux Montagnes! 12 Hour Run on Saturday, October 27, … Read More »
Celebrate A Special Space! WHAG News Coverage
First Therapeutic Child Care Center Opens in Charles Town
Charles Town just opened a therapeutic child care called A Special Space, helping kids with special needs and their hard-working families.
By: Dana Chicklas
Updated: August 21, 2012
CHARLES TOWN, WV — Charles Town has opened A Special Space, a therapeutic child care center that helps kids with special needs and their hard-working families. It’s a special space for special kids, just like third grader Brendan Zampino.
“I really care about people,” says Brendan Zampino, a third grader.
“He’s amazing, I mean he’s my hero,” says Bonnie Zampino, the founder of A Special Day day care in Charles Town.
There was no day care around town made just right for kids with Autism until his mother, Bonnie, founded one herself.
“In order for success, you need to find a need and fill it and that’s what A Special Space … Read More »
DEDICATE A SPECIAL SPACE!
Please bring a friend and the kids and join us on Tuesday, August 21st at Zion Episcopal Church Parish Hall located at: 221 E. Washington Street, Charles Town, WV 25414.
Our dedication and open house of A Special Space Center for school-aged children will be held from 10 am until noon. Food, tours and a chance to network with others in the community will make this a morning to remember! We are looking forward to seeing you there.
A Special Race for A Special Space
We are excited to be holding our first 5K/Fun Run event!
A Special Race for A Special Space will be held on October 6, 2012 at Sam Michael’s Park. Same-Day registration begins at 7:30 AM with the race starting at 9:00 AM.
The 1st annual Special Race for A Special Space 5k Run and Walk is designed to be an uplifting community event. The Run/Walk benefits children enrolled at A Special Space Centers located in Charles Town, WV.
We have established this event to contribute to and raise awareness of children with autism spectrum disorders and other special needs during National Disability Awareness Month.
Registration is now open on active.com here: http://www.active.com/running/shenandoah-junction-wv/a-special-race-for-a-special-space-2012.
Register now and help us raise awareness and support for our children!
True Inclusion: Middle School Class Experiences Autism
Today we had the honor of facilitating Experience Autism for a middle school class in West Virginia.
My “Ah Ha!” moment happened at the very beginning of class.
I asked, “Who has heard the word ‘autism’?” Every hand went up.
I asked, “Who knows someone with autism?” Every hand went up.
I asked, “Who can tell me what autism is?” Not one hand went up.
Amazing.
Today we didn’t “raise awareness” about autism. Clearly even 7th graders are aware of it.
No. Today we helped one class understand autism. There is a big difference between the two.
By going through the activities in the experience, these kids were able to actually encounter some of the challenges faced by people on the autism spectrum. They dealt with tactile issues. They learned what it was like to need a picture to complete a task when words simply made no sense. They struggled … Read More »
Sunday, March 11: on the Radio!
Bonnie is going to be interviewed on “Women of Vision” with Lori Brooks this coming Sunday morning at 7:30 on 97.1 WASH-FM.
Stuff Your Face for A Special Space!
Click here to bring up the PDF. Download it, print it out, and bring it with you.
See you at one of the three restaurants listed on the flyer on
Thursday, December 22, 2011 at 5:30 PM!
