To the Editor:

Please join Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara and the Berne Town Board in celebrating the official opening of the new playground equipment at Berne’s town park, Sunday, Oct. 1, at 4 p.m.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place followed by a simple cookout of hot dogs and light refreshments. It was a grant obtained from Assemblyman Santabarbara that funded the new equipment, the first phase of playground expansion at the park. Development will continue in phases for the next several years.

Emma Detlefsen of Emma’s Incredibles, will host a lemonade stand and bake sale starting at 3:30 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the Lymphedema Education and Research Network.

It is the mission of the Lymphatic Education and Research Network to fight lymphatic disease and lymphedema through education, research, and advocacy, and to accelerate the prevention, treatment, and cure of the disease while bringing patients and medical professionals together to address the unmet needs surrounding lymphatic disorders.

Emma, a resident of Berne, has been a Youth Ambassador for Lymphatic Education and Research Network since September 2015.

Now 8 years old, Emma was diagnosed with primary lymphedema when she was 16 months old. As a 7-year-old, she traveled to Washington, D.C. to act as a lobbyist in support of the Lymphedema Treatment Act and attended 12 congressional meetings with legislative health aids and members of both houses of the United States Congress.

Emma has been recognized for her tireless efforts to bring attention to lymphatic diseases in our community, as well as our state, and the nation. The Berne Town Board recognized her with a resolution in March of this year, expressing appreciation for her service to the Lymphedema Network.

We hope you will join Assemblyman Sanatabarbara and Emma at the ribbon-cutting celebration, and to support Emma in her efforts, on Sunday, Oct. 1, at 4 p.m.

Karen Schimmer, councilwoman

Berne Town Board