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Press Releases

Sept. 30, 2024

Community Invited to the 2025 Hearts & Hands Gala — Celebrating 10 Years of Transformation in the Autism Community

​The community is invited to join local autism supporters for an evening of celebration and philanthropy at the 2025 Hearts & Hands Gala that will be held Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach. This year’s event celebrates 10 Years of Transformation, marking a decade of life-changing education and services at Connections. See full release.

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Sept. 4, 2024

Community Rallies at 2024 Fire Truck Pull, Raising $26,500 for Autism Support

The 2024 Fire Truck Pull, held Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, at Gardens Park in Palm Beach Gardens, brought together teams of first responders, business leaders, college athletes and more for a day of competition and philanthropy. This year’s event raised an impressive $26,500 to benefit students and adults with autism who attend Connections Education Center, a nonprofit school in West Palm Beach. See full release

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Aug. 15, 2024

See Local Teams Compete to Pull a 30,000-lb. Fire Truck to Support Students with Autism

Excitement is building for the 2024 Fire Truck Pull, coming up Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, at Gardens Park in Palm Beach Gardens. This thrilling event will bring together teams of first responders, homebuilders, business owners and educators from across Palm Beach County to compete in a unique physical challenge while helping raise funds for students with autism who attend Connections Education Center, a local nonprofit school. See full release

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  • Photo credit: Connections Education Center

June 18, 2024

Experience the Thrill: 2024 Fire Truck Pull Event in Palm Beach County to Benefit Local Nonprofit School

Get ready for an adrenaline-pumping challenge! Local competitors and autism supporters are invited to the 2024 Fire Truck Pull on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, at the Gardens Park in Palm Beach Gardens. Registration is now open for this fun event that will bring together teams from across South Florida to compete in a unique challenge of power and speed while also helping raise funds for Connections Education Center, a local nonprofit school for students with autism. See full release​

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April 30, 2024

Adaptive Swim Lesson Demonstrations Rescheduled Due to Inclement Weather

Due to inclement weather, the adaptive swim lesson demonstrations scheduled for today at Lake Lytal Family Aquatic Center in West Palm Beach have been rescheduled. Demonstrations will begin Wednesday, May 1, 2024, 9:45-10:30 a.m. and will continue May 2, 3 and 7, 2024, at the same time. See full release​

April 11, 2024

Local Nonprofit Takes Action to Reduce the Risk of Autism-Related Drownings

Children with autism face a staggering statistic: They are 160 times more likely to drown than their neurotypical peers, according to the Autism Society of Florida. In response to this critical issue, Connections Education Center of the Palm Beaches, a nonprofit school in West Palm Beach dedicated to serving children with autism, is stepping up during Autism Awareness Month this April to reduce the risk. See full release and details on the Draw the Line on Drowning campaign.

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Feb. 21, 2024

Hearts & Hands Gala Raises a Record $530,500 to Benefit Connections School for Autism

The 6th Annual Hearts & Hands Gala held Feb. 17, 2024, raised a record amount of $530,500 for local students and adults with autism who attend Connections nonprofit school in West Palm Beach. Proceeds from the gala, which was held at the National Croquet Center, will fund specialized education, vital therapies and important family resource programs. See full release

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👉 See and download event photos here​

Dec. 14, 2023

Local Nonprofit School Presents the "Play It Forward" Gala Benefiting Students and Adults with Autism

Connections Education Center of the Palm Beaches will hold the 6th Annual Hearts & Hands Gala on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, to raise crucial funds for specialized education and services for local students and adults with autism. The event — themed “Play It Forward” — will be held at the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach. See full release

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Sept. 5, 2023 

First Annual Fire Truck Pull Raises $23,000 for Local Students with Autism

The 2023 Fire Truck Pull took place on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, at Gardens Park, bringing together teams from across Palm Beach County for an exciting competition and a great cause. The event aimed to test the strength and determination of participants, while also raising funds for local students with autism who attend Connections, a nonprofit school in West Palm Beach. See full release

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