To the Editor:
The Bayonne Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) would like to extend a huge thank you to the Bayonne Community for an amazing night at the first ever “Calming Sirens” Event. This was truly a team effort bringing together so many important areas of the community. Thank you first and foremost to Bayonne Police Officer Mike Elia. He and his partner, Officer Eddie Mena-Ramos, were paramount to the organization of the event. Thank you Mayor Jimmy Davis and Bayonne Police Chief Geisler for your permission and full backing, enabling the event to happen! Councilmen Juan Perez, Tommy Cotter, Sal Gullace were on-hand for support. First Responders and community organizations and businesses came together to provide a wonderful, educational and fun night. Bayonne residents with special needs of all ages interacted with the Bayonne Police, Bayonne Fire Department, Hudson County Sheriff’s Office, Port Authority of NY/NJ Police, IMTT Fire Department and McCabe Ambulance emergency personnel. The Bayonne Police Explorers did everything from assisting attendees to handing out hot dogs (from 22nd Street Meat Market). Thank you to THE Bayonne Housing Authority for lending equipment. Community organizations such as The Windmill Alliance, Children’s Specialized Hospital, Catch You Later Foundation, Hybridge Learning Group, Infinite Therapy Solutions, A Friendly Face, CPS, Hudson Community Enterprises and Rosemary Kellner of Allstate provided much needed educational pamphlets for information and services. The British Swim School was on hand with swim registration information, rubber duckies and crowns for the kids. Community leaders BCB lent amazing support by attending and sponsoring a Sensory Tent with beanbag chairs as a safe space for attendees. Lou Segura of BOHOYoga provided a beautiful calming yoga session on the grass. With the gorgeous weather, Bayonne SEPAC could not ask for a more perfect night. The smiles I witnessed said it all even better than… thank you.
ELISHA DEMARIA
SEPAC Communcations
Mom to Gabriel
