Helping Aaron's Acres

Millersville University student Chloe Singer won a grant to benefit Aaron’s Acres, a nonprofit organization that provides children and young adults with special needs recreational programs throughout Lancaster, Berks and Dauphin counties.

Singer, a senior from Nazareth, Pa., is majoring in early childhood/special education. She completed an internship with Aaron’s Acres during the 2013-2014 academic year. She wrote and submitted the grant with the aid of her internship supervisor, Risa Paskoff.

The grant was funded by the Rite Aid Kidcents Charity Foundation, which supports Aaron’s Acres and hundreds of other charities. The grant will allow Rite Aid customers in Lancaster, Berks and Dauphin counties to round their purchase up to the nearest dollar and donate their change. The donated money goes directly to Aaron’s Acres.

Aaron’s Acres will use the funds to provide age-appropriate recreation to children and young adults in their school and summer camp programs.  Some activities include horseback riding, swimming, going to parks and bowling. These activities will focus on communication and socialization among peers and community members.

During her internship, Singer gained valuable hands-on experiences working with children with different abilities and challenges. “It has furthered my education and provided me more knowledge than any class I could have taken,” she said. “I have made so many meaningful connections with people through Millersville and Aaron’s Acres, connections that will continue even after I leave Millersville.”