top of page
Voices of Our Beneficiaries
Dawson is smart, hilariously funny, kind, empathetic — the kind of kid parents hope for. He’s all of those things, and also happens to be autistic. I want to share how Camp Middlesex has become a place where he feels safe and like he belongs.
In summer 2024, he attended Camp Middlesex for one week through a scholarship. On his very first day, he fell on the way into an activity and got pretty scraped up. Because of sensory challenges, even something as simple as a bandaid can be overwhelming for him, and in the past, that would have been enough for him to shut down and want to go home.
But that is not what happened here. With patience, support, and a little time to regulate, he was able to get back up and rejoin his group.
At the end of that week, during the camp’s candlelight ceremony, Dawson was awarded the perseverance award. He was recognized for pushing through something that would normally stop him and for continuing to show up. Seeing him not just included, but celebrated for who he is is something we’ll never forget.
The following week, while attending our local summer program, he experienced bullying related to his autism in a setting where he should have been supported. It was incredibly difficult, and he is still affected by what happened.
Because we had seen what Camp Middlesex gave him, we made the decision to pull him immediately and use our savings to send him back for another week. When we told him he was going back, he cried, saying he was so happy.
In 2025, we saved throughout the entire year to make it possible for him to attend the full summer. He found confidence in theater and dance, fell in love with nature walks and kayaking, and formed meaningful connections with counselors who truly cared about him. Knowing someone was looking out for him every day gave us so much peace of mind.
This year, after being laid off, we weren’t sure how we were going to make it work. Because of A Voice for Mikey and The Mar5 Gratitude Foundation, Dawson gets to return to a place where he is supported, encouraged, and celebrated for exactly who he is.
Our hope for him this summer is that he continues to build confidence, form connections, and grow into himself in a place that really sees him. This isn’t just a summer for him. It’s shaping who he’s becoming.
We are so incredibly grateful for the support and for giving our son a place where he can truly be himself. Because of you, Dawson is ready to have, in his words, “THE BEST SUMMER EVER!”
- Jackie Connolly
"We are so grateful for Mar5 and A Voice for Mikey’s donations of sensory toys and a weighted blanket for my son, Cash who is newly diagnosed as autistic. We are so grateful for these tools to help him! His smile says it all - thank you for supporting our family."
Lindsay Harrington
"A Voice for Mikey and The Mar5 Gratitude Foundation thank you so much for your generosity. Your support for our family helps tremendously. You are helping our child gain independence while keeping him safe and helping to reduce stress in our household. Caring for a child with special needs takes a village.
Thank you for being a part of our village."
- Amber Merck
The Mar5 Foundation and A Voice for Mikey purchased an AngelSense device for my son who is on the spectrum. He loves to be outside playing in our backyard or down the dead end street we live on. It has become quite apparent that he is very curious and friendly! He often will go up to strangers or wander from the group. While we love his friendly nature, AngelSense will be able to provide a bit of an exhale when we are out together. If we lose sight of him we know he is safely tracked by AngelSense. Thank you to the Mar5 Foundation and A Voice for Mikey for
supporting our family with this safety measure
Angela Leahy -
As a single mother, balancing the challenges of making ends meet while caring for my son has not always been easy. There have been many moments when I worried about how I would provide the specialized support and opportunities he needs to thrive. That is why the generosity of the Mar5 Foundation and A Voice for Mikey Foundation has meant more to my family than words can truly express. After reaching out in August of last year, I was overwhelmed with gratitude when they contacted me in April to let me know they would be funding my son’s needs. Their support has given me not only practical help, but also hope, relief, and empowerment during a time when our family needed it most. They purchased all of the sensory equipment and supplies I requested for my son, and they have also funded adaptive swimming classes and soccer classes for him beginning in May and June. My son loves everything he received, and these opportunities will have a lasting impact on his growth, confidence, and development. What these foundations do is life-changing for families like mine. Their compassion and generosity provide more than financial assistance—they give parents hope and children opportunities they may not otherwise have. I am deeply thankful, honored, and blessed that my son was chosen for this support. May God continue to bless their work and expand their reach so they can continue helping more families in need just as they have helped mine
Ramullah Namuyanja -
We’re incredibly grateful for the generosity and support from A Voice for Mikey and The Mar5 Gratitude Foundation. Receiving these sensory and safety items means so much to our family and will truly make a positive difference in our daily lives. It’s reassuring to know there are organizations that care so deeply and are willing to step in to help families like ours. Thank you for your kindness, compassion, and for making this possible—we appreciate it more than words can express
Sreya Shepard -
bottom of page