West Lafayette queen hosting sensory toy drive

| October 28, 2019

WEST LAFAYETTE – Destiny Sesser knew right away that her West Lafayette Homecoming Queen service project would be to raise awareness for autism.

“Two of my little cousins were diagnosed with autism when they were 3-years-old and the other when she was just 18 months,” Sesser said. “Being a part of their lives, watching them grow up, and being their older cousin is one of the best things I have ever gotten the chance to be. There is such a stigma around autism and developmental disabilities as a whole. I wanted to educate my peers and the people in my community to create a better understanding of autism, and those who are diagnosed with it.”

She had a meeting with Help Me Grow and received a ton of ideas from them, but the one she loved the most was a sensory toy drive.
“The toys donated to my sensory toy drive are going to children with autism and sensory processing disorders,” Sesser said. “The toys help by stimulating their five senses and distracting them from a sensory overload. This also helps children with autism learn and cope with everyday life. It also helps improve fine and gross motor skills.”

Sensory toys can be ordered off of Sesser’s Amazon registry, which is linked to her Facebook page (www.facebook.com/TheWLQueen) under the shop now tab. Toys ordered from the registry will be shipped directly to Sesser. To make a monetary donation, make checks out to WLCC Queen’s Acct and mail them to P.O. Box 113, West Lafayette, OH 43845. Donations of sensory toys can be dropped off at: HER Realty of Coshocton, 1502 Chestnut St.; Kyle Libby State Farm, 265 Downtowner Plaza; or Folland and Drown Law Office, 232 Chestnut St. Toys that are needed include: Play-Doh, Kinetic Sand, chew necklaces or sticks, Orbeez, sensory balls, and Poptubes.

Sesser is hoping to collect enough toys to start a sensory corner at the West Lafayette Branch Library, fill bags for Help Me Grow, and give a generous donation to Coshocton County elementary schools.

“All the toys will stay within our community for the children who need them,” she said.

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Category: People & Places

About the Author ()

I started my journalism career in 2002 with a daily newspaper chain. After various stops with them, I am happy to be back home! I graduated from Coshocton High School in 1998 and received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication in 2002 from Walsh University. I also earned several awards while working for daily papers, including being honored by Coshocton County’s veterans for the stories I wrote about them. I am honored and ready to once again shine a positive light on Coshocton County. I also am the proud mother of a little girl named Sophia!

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