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St. Bernard Autism Crew donates $40,000 to district summer camp, launches scholarship
Summary
St. Bernard Autism Crew presented the school board with a $40,000 donation to support its summer camp, announced expanded services and a new scholarship for students with exceptionalities, and previewed community fundraising events.
Representatives of the St. Bernard Autism Crew told the school board on March 24 that the organization has expanded since 2022 and will provide a $40,000 donation to support the district's summer camp for students with autism and other exceptionalities.
Danny Daart and board members described growth from 20 campers at launch to more than 60 campers and detailed program features including speech therapists in every group, speech-generating devices, picture boards, sensory bags, free swim lessons and community volunteer mentors who are former students. The crew announced it would present a $40,000 check to the district for this year's camp.
The group also said it was launching a St. Bernard Autism Awareness Scholarship to support older students with exceptionalities pursuing trade school, two-year or four-year programs, and announced a partial reimbursement program to help families use other summer-camp providers in the New Orleans metro area if children cannot attend the district's camp.
Board members thanked the Autism Crew and noted the organization's fundraising activities, including a May 2 Parish Derby fundraiser at the civic center. Alvin Jones and Elizabeth Dorrie were among board members and volunteers introduced during the presentation.
The board expressed appreciation for community partnerships with local refineries and businesses and for the volunteers who help run the camp. No formal vote was required to accept the donation during the meeting; the check presentation and program updates were recorded in the minutes.
