The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Seeing ‘them for all of their strengths’
Water lantern celebration to support youth with autism
DEEP RIVER — Hundreds of people are expected to decorate lanterns and float them on Platwood Park Pond as part of a celebration of people of all abilities, and effort to raise money for a local nonprofit organization.
Jane Moen is the executive director of A Little Compassion, which works to create employment opportunities for young
adults with disabilities, as well as educate the community on acceptance and inclusion of people of all abilities.
This is where the third annual water lantern celebration comes in, Moen said. Taking place Sept. 25 with a rain date of Sept. 26, the event will be live streamed this year instead of being held in person.
“Last year, during COVID, we were able to showcase the talent of many of our young adults,” she said. “We had young adults that read poetry. We had young adults that played guitar. We had young adults with all these different talents.”
Moen said that fits in well with the group’s mission — making sure the community gets to know young adults with autism and other disabilities, and appreciate all of their strengths.
“The whole purpose of water lantern was a way to bring the community together to celebrate people of all abilities,” she said. “We’re just out there to raise awareness, and make sure people know these young adults so that they become a part of the fabric of the community.”
One wonderful aspect of live streaming the event, Moen said, is that people have more time to decorate their lanterns. Last year’s event resulted in “beautiful” designs, she added.
Moen noted the event is the only real fundraiser the nonprofit holds. Staff came to the conclusion that a water lantern ceremony was the right avenue for such a mission, because it is more personal than bake sales or the like, she said.
“It had to be meaningful, and it had to bring the community together,” she said. “The symbol of a candle always symbolizes hope. The idea of lighting the way for other people is at the heart of what we do. It just made sense.”
The first year, which was in person, attracted people from a multitude of decorating stations, she said. They were able to enjoy chili made by the local fire department, as well as live musical acts and a bonfire.
The day of the event, Moen said, people drop off their lanterns in a drive-through manner. Participants will receive a watch party bag to take home and directions on how to log in to the online event.
Moen emphasized that the lanterns are floating, and recollected after the ceremony, so as to not pollute the area and to allow for their reuse.
“People write inspirational quotes on them, or a dedication to someone they’ve lost,” she said. “It really is quite a meaningful event. Then we send them out on the pond. It’s really pretty.”
Moen said the community gathering helps encourage people regardless of their abilities. “Now more than ever, we all need to take care of each other and lift each other up. I think it’s the perfect time to have this event again. We all need that.”
To register, go to alittlecompassion.org.