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ARTICLE. From the Square Peg Foundation December 26th, 2024.
When local entrepreneurs get together with a good cause in mind, great things happen.
Natalie and Mike Sare were in the Square Peg Foundation office in Montara in early September of this year. Together, they had been working on social media projects for Square Peg Foundation. Natalie and Mike were very grateful at how Square Peg had been able to use Mike’s unique video writing and editing style to promote the non profit’s programs.”
The Sares, who also happen to own Santa’s Tree Farm in Half Moon Bay asked “is there anything we can do as a family to help Square Peg Foundation?”
“Well actually………” replied Joell Dunlap, Square Peg’s executive director.
Square Peg Foundation has been serving autism families on the Coastside since 2004. Each year, around the holidays, they would see autism families feel excluded from Holiday events. After 20+ years of experience, they know that having the right physical environment- that is to say – something with lots of options for movement, for interacting with the natural environment, choices to engage socially or take a break when needed, and things that inspire awe and wonder – with the right human environment- which is to say – staffed by people who are easygoing, caring, lighthearted, and compassionate – this is the equation for a successful event for neurodivergent folks.
Santa’s Tree Farm has been bringing the Christmas stoke to the coastside for 50 years now.
Together, they came up with the idea of #QuirkyXmas – They created an event where families would feel a sense of relief the moment they drove in. Where families could know that they were in a judgement free zone, where the physical and human environment was specifically designed to delight and serve. They wanted to encourage wonder and awe and playful movement. They wanted people to have options of activities and not lines and rules and limits.
QuirkyXmas, became a reality on Saturday, Dec 21, 2024 at Santa’s Tree Farm. Families were treated to train rides, a puppet show, a live band, faceprinting, a treasure hunt, free hot dogs and a chance to meet the HMB Volunteer Fire Department and climb aboard a real fire truck. Over 150 families were served despite the rain.
The event was sponsored by the local Big Wave Project, the San Francisco Autism Society,
Beneficial Bank, Small Town Sweets, New Leaf Community Market, Flamindogs, Xpert Rodent
& Wildlife Solutions, and Frank Vento – Intero Realty.
“The feedback we’ve received tells us that everything we dreamed the event could be became
a reality. Families felt safe, served, and joyful. We’re already making plans for #QuirkyXmas
2025” says Dunlap.
Now that’s a gift that keeps on giving.
Photos of the event here: https://rcpeters.smugmug.com/Square-Peg/Quirky-Christmas-2024
Author: Coastside Buzz
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