“The world looks brighter from behind a smile.” — Author Unknown
Upon meeting Melinda at an Orlando event, Wendy Blair, Director of LifeSkills Academy, immediately saw the Persona Pail as a way for her students not only to express themselves creatively, but to participate in a fun holiday project. Located in Winter Springs, FL, LifeSkills Academy serves children diagnosed with sensory processing disorders, autism, Asperger’s syndrome or speech/language delays. The school offers first rate academics in a unique and flexible environment. www.lifeskillscfl.com
Several e-mails and phone calls later, 28 pails along with Holiday Stickers were shipped to FL just in time for the holidays! Wendy’s idea: each child would create their own Persona Pail “masterpiece” as a gift for moms and dads. We loved the idea and were able to work with Wendy to provide free holiday stickers and special pricing for the pails.
Just seeing the kids’ faces as they took such pride in their finished “masterpiece” makes our business so rewarding. Because there’s no right or wrong way (plus no scissors or glue necessary), the children at LifeSkills just “got it” and loved the activity.
One mom, Cheryl Herdee Freestone, wrote on our Facebook page, “Daniel and his friends at LifeSkills Academy had a wonderful time making your gift pails. His North Pole Nick now has a place of honor on our piano.” Melinda was able to attend the holiday event and capture this creative imagination at work in these wonderful photographs. Special thanks to Wendy Blair for organizing the fun-filled day and allowing us to take a small part in it!
Our goal is to put smiles on faces one pail at a time through childrens’ charities and organizations. If you know of an organization that might be interested in the Persona Pail, we’d love to talk to you! Please contact Melinda Tomasello at cast@personagiftpail.com or 407-971-8040.
SPECIAL NOTE FROM MELINDA: “I really enjoyed my visit at LifeSkills Academy; special thanks to the teachers and students; you were just wonderful! It was so gratifying to see the children proudly create their pails – a moment I won’t soon forget! For me, it emphasizes the true meaning and spirit of Christmas.”
Such warm smiles and adorable pails!
As a parent of an autistic child at LifeSkills Academy, thank you for introducing my son, Daniel to your wonderful Persona Pails (sp?). We treasure the pail he made for Christmas and it has a place of honor on the antique piano my grandmother handed down to me.
I also truly enjoyed the display you gave to LifeSkills Academy for Autism Awareness Week. Knowing your support for my son’s school means a great deal to our family.