Spirits Lifted at CERC Halloween Party

In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, many Bronx families were without power and could not access public transportation. And with the specter of downed power lines, trick or treating on Halloween was cancelled throughout New York City and its neighboring communities. But thanks to staff at the Children's Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center (CERC), on Wednesday, October 31, 2012, more than 150 local children were able to cast their gloom aside, dress up in costumes, and have a "spooktacular" time at the center's second annual Halloween party.

Held in the expansive lobby of Einstein's Van Etten building, parents and children – 300 in all – enjoyed an afternoon of levity and games, organized by CERC staff, in conjunction with staff members from the Rose F. Kennedy University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (UCEDD) and Rose F. Kennedy Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (IDDRC). The party featured music, face-painting, a bouncy castle, arts and crafts, and much more, with departments from throughout the College of Medicine pitching in. Predoctoral and postdoctoral students from CERC's Sheryl and Daniel R. Tishman Cognitive Neurophysiology Lab and the laboratory of Dr. John Greally also contributed to the festivities, many in costume.

"Our Halloween party was a major success, especially considering that it could have been cancelled, since we had to play it by ear right up until the event started," said Edel Flynn, who organized the event with Sukhi Lee, Shirley Goodlett and Sharon Coachman. "It's amazing!"

Dr. Robert W. Marion, director of CERC and UCEDD, agreed. "Our objective was to bring CERC patients together with Einstein's scientists and clinicians for a fun Halloween celebration," he noted. "In light of all that's happened during and following the storm, I'm amazed and grateful we were able pull together such a wonderful event. It lifted the spirits of CERC, the kids of the Bronx, and their families."