Event Builds Friendship Among Teens & Autistc Teens
Suncoast High School Culinary Club, BurgerFi, and Autism
Speaks partnered together on Sept. 7, to create an afternoon for teens and
teens on the autism spectrum to break down social barriers, foster friendships
and build gourmet burgers – together.
Choosing from more than 20 gourmet toppings, members of the
Suncoast High School Culinary Club worked alongside teens on the autism
spectrum to create their own gourmet burgers. The group then shared their
burgers together, enjoying each other’s company and learning more about the
each other and autism.
Guest speaker Sam Gelfand, who is 16 and has Asperger’s,
made a moving speech about the difficulties of socializing in high school for
teens on the spectrum, and the importance of creating awareness about autism.
“The purpose of the event was to create compassion and a
connection among teens and teens with Autism,” said Suncoast High School
Culinary Club Co-Founder, Samantha Krasker.
“By breaking down social barriers and stigmas, the
experience encourages teens to reach out to others who are different -- all
while enjoying a universal favorite teenage pastime, eating hamburgers,” added
Co-Founder Lucy Krasker, who is Samantha’s identical twin sister.
BurgerFi generously provided all the hamburgers and
toppings, and is partnering with the Suncoast High School Culinary Club and
Autism Speaks to host a national Make a Burger, Make a Friend event on November
9, 2013 in locations from Florida to New York.
The Suncoast Culinary Club hopes to use this event to
promote acceptance and inclusion of individuals on the Autism spectrum, and to
encourage kindness and extending friendship to others. It is an example of how
the Club works to create culinary experiences that express people’s universal
similarities and unique differences, which make the world more special.
No comments:
Post a Comment