Autism Nature Trail at Letchworth State Park Wins Contest
Written by Dan Fischer on April 22, 2020
News Release
The Campaign to Build The Autism Nature Trail (The ANT) has won the grand prize in Cellino Plumbing & HVAC’s 2020 Truck Wrap Contest. The Trail came out on top against 250 other Western New York non-profit organizations, making it to the final two by popular public vote and then winning the contest in a final presentation made to the Cellino Board of Directors on Wednesday.
As the grand prize winner, The Autism Nature Trail will be featured in a specially designed wrap that will adorn one of Cellino Plumbing & HVAC’s company trucks for the full life of the vehicle. The organization will receive 5% of the revenue that comes from the truck’s profits over the next 12-months (typically between $20,000 and $25,000) and will benefit from the increased presence and awareness that will be given to the organization within the Buffalo and nearby market.
“Autism, developmental disabilities and inclusion are terms we’ve heard a lot in recent years,” says Loren Penman, one of the Co-Founders of The Autism Nature Trail project. “Many attractions are scrambling to become “sensory-friendly” but, what makes The ANT so unique is that we are not making a public place accommodating – we are making an accommodating place public. We thank the Cellino team for seeing and supporting that vision and helping us to make this project a reality.”
Leading up to the final presentation, The ANT reached out to the public to gather input on why The Autism Nature Trail is important to them and their families. Responses from supporters of the Trail poured in, ranging from the need for safe and inclusive outdoor areas, to judgement-free activities for the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) community, to accessibility needs in natural spaces.
