It was a fun-filled day on the farm, with more than 400 children and parents attending Langley Child Development Centre's annual Family Picnic at Aldor Acres last month.
"Families were so grateful for the range of activities available for their children who have varying needs and abilities," said Langley Children's Society's Cora Boecker.
"There were hayrides and a petting zoo, to face painting, arts and crafts."
Each year, Langley Child Development Centre (LCDC) hosts a family picnic to celebrate families who have received or are receiving services from the LCDC.
It's an opportunity to come together in a safe and supportive environment. Here, they can share in the common experience of having children with unique challenges – from having delays related to being born 17 weeks early, to a diagnosis of Down syndrome or autism, to facing a life-limiting illness, said Boecker.
"These are all of the various experiences that Langley families face on a daily basis," she said.
In the past, LCDC held the picnic at a small local park, close to the office. Access to parking and washrooms has always been a challenge, said Boecker.
This year, LCDC approached Aldor Acres to see if it was possible to host the picnic at their accessible farm.
"Without a moment’s hesitation, Dorothy and Melissa Anderson both generously and graciously offered to host it at no charge to our families or to our society," said Boecker.
Families were excited at the opportunity to bring their children to a farm to experience the petting zoo, look at the farm animals, including the babies, go for a hayride with Farmer Al and enjoy some family-friendly games in their fields without worrying about what others may think about their children’s specialized equipment or their unique differences in behaviour or development, she said.