Greetings all! Thank you so much for stopping by our page, and for all of your past and present donations.

We are once again walking for our son, Lucas Paul. 

Lucas Paul continues to progress in the High School at Academy360.  In September, he will enter his Senior year, and upon graduation, he will enter the Young Adult Program at Spectrum360.  It is such a relief to not have to worry about finding a suitable school for Lucas Paul from ages 18-21, as he can remain where he is and continue to work and grow as a respected individual. 

Lucas Paul continues to participate in the afterschool Culinary Program and takes Culinary as an elective as well. He continues to work at Franco’s Pizzeria where he folds pizza boxes, cleans tables and menus, sets tables, and stocks the soda cooler.  He also works at The Grande, a banquet catering hall, where he sets tables, folds napkins, sorts, and performs other tasks.  He is very hard-working and determined and receives compliments from his employers on his work ethic!  We are so proud of him!!! We are anticipating more worksites for Lucas Paul come September.   As we prepare Lucas for his future, we are gearing his employment toward his interest in the food industry, particularly in the area of prep cook.  Lucas has gained valuable experience participating in the Culinary Academy, where he learns to prepare, cook and bake delicious meals and desserts alongside other students.  Lucas is loving his classes, and he loves going out to work and being responsible. 

Lucas Paul excels in Math class--his fabulous teacher, Ms. Santos, makes learning fun and functional through “menu math,” “music mash-ups,” and by taking trips across the street to the local café to implement purchasing skills he has learned in class.  It is incredible for us to see Lucas Paul doing his math homework on his own, adding several sets of numbers on a calculator and enjoying the satisfaction that he is succeeding!!!

Lucas Paul enjoys playing on the basketball team in High School, the Spectrum360 Cougars.  It is amazing to watch the joy in his face as he plays and has fun with his teammates! Seeing Lucas Paul happy, progressing, working toward employment and his independence— Spectrum360 has given Lucas Paul the tools he needs to achieve success in so many areas. These are all skills so many of us take for granted, yet they are huge accomplishments for Lucas Paul..  We are so happy to be a part of the Spectrum360 family and hope you will celebrate these accomplishments with us!

Please know all of your contributions make it possible for Lucas Paul to be in such a great school and to be progressing every year with new ideas and technology, an amazing 1:1 aide (Ms. Stephanie) who always goes the extra mile for Lucas Paul, and a friendly staff who always makes you feel at home.

We are asking all of you to support Lucas Paul, our family, and Spectrum 360 however you can.  We would love to have you join us on May 3rd, 2020 as part of our walk team, "For the Love of Lucas".  Registration is just $15 per person, additional donations are also appreciated. If you do not want to walk, you can just come out and support us at Verona Park.  If you would like to support our team but are unable to attend the event, you can make an online donation or mail a check. 

We know your supporting us is a big commitment on your part, and it not something we take lightly.  We have learned from Lucas Paul not to take the little accomplishments in life for granted, and every day we are thankful for how blessed we are that Lucas Paul is in our family.  We appreciate anything and everything you can do to help make Lucas Paul's future as bright as possible and beyond.  Thank you!

Once again...

Why we walk

We walk for our son, Lucas Paul, whose adorable eyes and heart-warming smile allow us to see a world without boundaries.  We walk for his determination and perseverance, and for all we learn from him.  We walk for his insight and his unique approach to life and all things living.  We walk for the brilliance inside of him, and for the light he brings to everyone fortunate enough to know him.  We walk for his beautiful heart, his pure soul, and his amazing spirit.

We walk for everyone on the spectrum, to give a voice to those who do not have a voice, to make it known that our children have something to say.  We walk to eliminate stereotypes and prejudice, and to give greater understanding to those who do not understand.

We walk for every parent who lies awake every night wondering what the future will hold.  We walk because we feel like we are running out of time, and we don’t know which way to turn. We walk so someday we will live in a world where we won’t have to explain our story to others, a world where we won’t have to fight for services for our children, a world where we won’t have to be afraid because we know our children will be accepted. 

We walk for our son, Lucas Paul.

We walk….For the Love of Lucas

Thank you all again for keeping Lucas Paul and our family in your hearts and for helping to make each day easier for him!

Love,

The Hagel Family and Team "For the Love of Lucas!"