On Saturday, Dec. 14, the Extraordinary Kids Foundation (EKF) brought holiday magic to life with its inaugural Holiday Fest, a joyous celebration dedicated to special needs and medically complex children and their families.
Hosted in collaboration with the Village of Wellington, the Palm Beach School for Autism, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue, the event was held at the Wellington Amphitheater and featured festive activities, such as free food trucks, gift giveaways, resource vendors, pictures with Santa, holiday train rides and more.
At the event, the Village of Wellington unveiled new visual communication boards at nearby Scott’s Place Playground, which further showcases the village’s dedication to inclusivity. Wellington has also installed visual communication boards at Tiger Shark Cove Park, Town Center and Village Park. These innovative boards are designed to enhance communication for non-verbal children and individuals who benefit from visual aids, creating a more welcoming and supportive environment for all park visitors.
Visual communication boards empower children and individuals by providing tools to express their needs, emotions and ideas using pictures and symbols. The boards are not only a resource for non-verbal children but are also beneficial for younger children learning to communicate.
The project was made possible through a partnership with the Palm Beach School for Autism.
“Our parks are more than just places to play — they’re spaces where our community connects and grows together,” Village Manager Jim Barnes said. “These communication boards represent Wellington’s commitment to fostering understanding and accessibility for all who visit.”
