Summer Shopping Spree at LifeTown
There’s nothing like a shopping spree to beat the summer heat. On Thursday, July 18, sixty families did just that during a much-anticipated LifeTown Shoppes Open House. For those unfamiliar, one of LifeTown’s biggest attractions is their indoor replica of a town street, complete with fifteen stores.
On a typical day, the Shoppes host school groups with special education students from throughout the region. In this safe, real-world environment, neurodiverse students practice, master and reinforce school curriculums, all in a supportive and encouraging environment.
Upon entering July’s Open Shoppes event, guests were ushered into LifeTown’s movie theater for a short video intro explaining how the Shoppes are navigated. The first stop was the bank, where kids withdrew $12 to be used in any store they pleased. Guests browsed all the destinations on the bustling street including the mini version of Words Bookstore, ShopRite, and Jeff and Charlie’s Pet Shop.
Daisy Vento traveled from Jersey City, NJ with her 2-year-old daughter to experience the Shoppes for the first time. “I’m going to send messages to all my friends saying you have to see this place,” said Vento after exploring the unique space. “This is awesome.”
Amanda Gager, a special education teacher from Hamilton, NJ was equally impressed. “I think it’s amazing,” said Gager who also visited the Shoppes for the first time with her husband, mother, 6-year-old son, and 3-year-old daughter. “I think it’s teaching the kids a lot of responsibility and life skills at a young age.”
In addition, guests were able to meet three very special guests at the pet shop – adorable dogs from The Seeing Eye, an organization that matches guide dogs with visually impaired owners. An eleven-year-old retired German Shepard and two Labrador puppies were accompanied by Friendship Circle and Seeing Eye volunteer, Sharon Kessel.
“This is a place where anyone would feel comfortable,” said Kessel, who has volunteered for Friendship Circle for the past eleven years. “I love everything here. I love being here. This is one of my happy places.”
This event wouldn’t be possible without the support of fantastic Friendship Circle volunteers like Kessel.
“I think it brings people together, and when you have people together for a common cause, it creates collective joy,” said Bob Gray, a longtime volunteer, who has been assisting the Shoppes since opening day. “And there’s no replacement for collective joy.”
Everyone who entered the LifeTown Shoppes experienced collective joy that they could carry with them for the rest of their summer.
But if you missed this event, you still have a chance to visit. LifeTown will be holding additional opportunities on August 30, September 3, and October 14. More information can be found at www.LifeTown.com/Shoppes.
