By: Evan Whitenack

Pillar Elementary School recently cut the ribbon for “Amanda’s Play Place,” a preschool playground for students with disabilities. The playground was named in honor of Amanda Machemer, a Pillar Schools longtime student and daughter of Pillar Care Board Chair, Clark Machemer. The space was also dedicated to late Pillar Elementary student Daniel Grijalva. “Amanda’s Play Place” was built to provide a space for Pillar Elementary preschoolers to develop and grow in an environment catered to their needs. Activity on the playground provides therapuetic benefits such as strength and conditioning, while also leading to improved focus in the classroom. Pillar Elementary School is a special needs school for children with medical disabilities located in Livingston, NJ. The school is operated by Pillar Care Continuum, a non-profit located in East Hanover dedicated to providing services for individuals with disabilities. In addition to Pillar Elementary, the agency also operates Pillar High School in Livingston, as well as multiple day programs and group homes for individuals with disabilities. For more information about Pillar Care Continuum, please visit pillarnj.org.