Special Needs Jamboree at Misty Hollow Farm

The Elks Lodge Supports the Misty Hollow Farms Special Needs Spring Jamboree

Neither the threat of rain nor cover of clouds could diminish the shining lights emanating from everywhere and everyone on Misty Hollow Farms in Glen Gardner this past Saturday. The 2nd Kamal Muheisen Special Needs Spring Jamboree filled the farm with laughter and excitement as the children enjoyed a multitude of attractions and foods.

Muhsin Muheisen and Robert Maino, owners of Misty Hollow Farms, started this event a year ago to raise community awareness about children and adults with autism and special needs… to provide all with an extraordinary day of fun and fulfillment. The event is held in honor of Muhsin’s father, Kamal Muheisen.

An army of volunteers from the Hackettstown Elks Lodge 2331 along with the Elks Special Children’s Committee members (Jeff, John, Wayne, Bill, Candida, Bob, Denise, Barbara, Sue, Larry, Lawrence and so many others) and Muheisen family members, made the day move smoothly by lovingly attending to every play and food station… and there were lots of each.

Thanks to the many resident Misty Hollow farm animals and generous contributions from various community organizations including No Goats No Glory 4-H Club from the High Hopes Farm, PAWS to Freedom and Rachel LaRitz, who attended with their goats and companion dogs. The children also enjoyed rabbits and lambs to hug and pet; roosters and peacocks to chase; ponies and horses to ride provided by Heavenly Acres; jumbo air cages in which to jump, fall and giggle.

Then there were the Muheisen-provided T-shirts… used as belly-buckets for collecting the goodies from the treasure hunt; fishing poles for the pond exploration; Jinxx the clown and Magician Bill for tricks and balloon-twisting magic; face painters at work all day adding emphasis to the children’s broad smiles; and Into the Sunset DJ services for singing and dancing throughout the day. The children especially enjoyed sitting in the flashing Lebanon Police car that came by for a surprise visit.

And food flowed from start to finish! Bagels, hot dogs, hamburgers, and watermelons. Anthony Giordano and family donating a vintage 1965 ice cream truck full of ice-cream and baked goods were provided by Muheisen’s Bagel and Deli, keeping everyone filled… along with being fulfilled.

One mother who traveled from an hour away expressed the sentiment for many of the day’s visitors, “My husband and I were so excited when we were given the Misty Hollow flyer from a fellow church member. There really isn’t anywhere we can take our son in our area without worrying about being an inconvenience to others. You have no idea how much it means to us to have an event which is 100% designed for our son’s enjoyment. We look forward to coming again next year. Bless you all!”

Wayne McDonnell, the local Chairperson of the Elk’s Special Children’s Committee expressed his heart-felt thanks, “The members of the committee that volunteered for this event were thrilled and grateful to be involved. We look forward to the opportunity to volunteer again next year and support this worthy Misty Hollow event.”