13th Annual AHA Abby Irwin Family Picnic
Saturday, June 9th, 2012
11:00am - 4:00pm
West Hills Country Park, Group Picnic Area, Melville

Save the Date - more information to follow

The Annual Picnic
by Pat Long

A number of years ago, Abby Irwin came to one of my support meetings. I felt her energy and purpose right away. She was so family oriented and dedicated to finding every avenue that could lead to improving the life of her son Jon, who was diagnosed with AS. Over the course of time, Abby and I became close and she expressed the desire to contribute whatever she could to further the success of our group.

One of the things all parents want is the opportunity to meet families and children like our own. Abby and I thought it would be great if we could provide a format where that could happen. Support meetings were GREAT but we needed something more. That is where the inspiration for our annual picnic came from. Abby loved the idea and ran with it. She found a great park, and with her former catering connections she created a most wonderful experience for everyone who attended. In the beginning, Abby would send me a list - and an endless one that of all the local merchants who were willing to donate food, snacks, veggies, seafood, toys, paper goods and anything else you could imagine to make for a successful picnic. I would run around all over Riverhead and local towns to pick up the donations. It was quite overwhelming to see the love and generosity that was generated by Abby and her charisma.

The picnic became the most profound experience of the families who attended and at the center of it all was Abby. Everyone came to see and meet this incredibly dynamic woman.

The picnic has become a hallmark of our group and we owe it all to the phenomenal energy and family dedication of our beloved Abby Irwin.

Through her efforts families have bonded, young people on the spectrum have made lasting friendships, siblings have found special connections and memories have been created that will stay with all of us who have had the special experience of being at those picnics with Abby and her family.

I thought it important for you to know where it all came from, and why we dedicate this annual picnic to Abby.