2025 Harvest Fest October 8th: $10,000 Raised

Thank you for helping us raise $10,000 for Matthew!

3500 Sunrise Highway, Great River. Look for the signs in the parking lot.

All proceeds this year went go to Matthew. Matthew was diagnosed at age three with Regressional Autism. Though he is still nonverbal, Matthew can communicate using an assistive communication device which has helped him to express himself and ease some of his frustrations. But this progress comes at a steep financial cost.As Matthew grows, the program will need to be updated to meet his needs. Please read Matthew’s full story below:

“Matthew was born on September 2, 2016. His entry into the world was difficult-his birth was traumatic-but miraculously, he pulled through. As an infant and toddler, Matthew hit all of his early developmental milestones. He rolled over, crawled, walked and began to speak; by the time he was two he had a vocabulary of about 20 words.
Shortly after his second birthday, we noticed changes in Matthew. He began walking on his tiptoes, flapping his arms, avoiding eye contact and heartbreakingly losing the ability to speak. We immediately took him to several specialists. He was finally diagnosed at age three with“Regressional Autism”. We quickly enrolled him in speech and occupational services three times a week after school and continued intensive support. Though he is still nonverbal, Matthew can communicate using an assistive communication device which has helped him to express himself and ease some of his frustrations.But this progress comes at a steep financial cost. As Matthew grows, the program will need to be updated to meet his needs.

Our health insurance refuses to cover Matthew’s therapies because they were not due to an accident. Government assistance has also been denied. My husband is a detective with the NYPD and despite his public service, the insurance benefits do not adequately support families who receive an autism diagnosis. I am a stay-at-home mom as I need to be available to transport Matthew to his many appointments and care for our younger daughter. We are doing everything in our power to give Matthew the tools and care he needs and will continue to need throughout his life but the financial strain continues to grow as well.”