MONSON – Outdoor fall activities, indoor scents of autumnal baking and a sense of community can be experienced at the fourth annual Fall Farm Gathering hosted by All Our Kids (AOK).

The event is set to take place at Silver Bell Farm in Monson on Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

AOK is a regional nonprofit that provides supplies, support and resources to foster families in Western Massachusetts. Kyle Belanger, board president of AOK, explained that they host several events each year, however, the Silver Bell Farm event is one of their favorites. “Silver Bell Farm is the quintessential New England location,” that encompasses everything fall, he said.

For those who attend, they can expect several farm activities such as hayrides, pumpkin painting, farm animals and a corn maze. There will be snacks and drinks provided, along with food trucks available for outdoor purchases.

To attend the event, pre-registration is required. To register visit https://fosteringaok.org/event-registration/. Belanger noted that if an interested participant does not register ahead of time, they are welcome to come on the day of the event. He shared that AOK will never turn a foster family away.
Last year’s Fall Farm Gathering event brought in 50 families, with a total of 200 attendees. At press time, registration had just opened and about 15 families had registered.

Like all AOK events, there is no cost to attend.

Operating as a nonprofit organization, Belanger said they are primarily funded through donations and grants. He recognized the countless donors for their generosity.

He went on to explain the history of AOK which was founded about five years ago by Dr. Marianna Litovich.

“Our organization is unique in that it provides space – physical and emotional – for foster kids in Western Massachusetts,” said Belanger. Similar to any family, a foster family has “unique needs” and “concerns,” he added.

For foster kids, they may have a trauma response or experience that looks different from someone who is not a foster kid, explained Belanger. When AOK hosts an event, he said, “It’s a safe space.” Although this term is often overused, he believes it to be true and assured that each foster family is seen, valued and loved within the AOK proximity.

“The AOK community has grown to see similar families at each event,” said Belanger.

He shared that 2022 has been a busy year for their organization, as they are “coming out of the thick” of COVID-19. Since May, including the event at Silver Bell Farm, they will have hosted five events in six months. Before the coronavirus pandemic, he said they would meet quarterly. Since then, he noted that the community has expressed desire for even more events.

Once the Fall Farm Gathering is complete, AOK will begin planning for their holiday party in December.
For additional information on the “Fall Farm Gathering” at Silver Bell Farm, visit https://fosteringaok.org/events/. Silver Bell Farm is located at 305 Silver St. in Monson. Although the farm is open to the public, this event is only open for AOK families.

To learn more about AOK, visit https://fosteringaok.org/home/.