Surfers for Autism

As July drew to a close, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) staff participated in the 7th Annual Surfers for Autism event in Ponce Inlet. The event was held on July 30, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.  APD has forged bonds with many returning participants and their families over the years.

For the last several years, APD NE’s Regional Operating Manager Leslie Richards and Regional Waiver Program Supervisor Becky Scales have been assisting the Ponce Inlet Fire and Police Departments with their ‘Paint a Fire Truck or Police Car’ event in which children and adults can paint all over the retired emergency vehicles. APD Field Office 12 employees, Carolyn Klimas with her husband, Nick, Carla Steinmann with two of her sons, and Belinda Hoyt, attended the event to give a hand to Richards and Scales.

The weather was ideal and many volunteers, including two APD staff members, Corie Hatcher and Stacia Regar, along with their families, were in the water throughout the day helping individuals with Autism enjoy riding the waves.

From left to right: Belinda Hoyt, Carolyn Klimas, Corie Hatcher, Leslie Richards, and Rebecca Scales.