Families spending time together for a good cause is one of the most rewarding types of fun. It's a wholesome experience that can only be enhanced by the presence of angels - Aaron's Acres Angels, that is.

Aaron's Acres Angels is a group of 20 middle school and high school students from the Manheim Township, Conestoga Valley and Hempfield school districts, as well as from Linden Hall School for Girls in Lititz. The group of young volunteers lends a hand with Aaron's Acres events when it can.

One of its next efforts is organizing and marketing an Aaron's Acres' family movie night at Penn Cinema, 541 Airport Road, Lititz, on Thursday, May 30. The event will feature "The Garfield Movie," with showings at 4:30 and 6 p.m. In addition to promoting the family movie night with flyers and posts on social media, Aaron's Acres Angels will be greeting people and selling snacks to benefit the cause on the night of the event.

Everyone is welcome to attend, and all proceeds from the event will go to support Aaron's Acres, a nonprofit located at 1861 Charter Lane, Suite 114, Lancaster, that is dedicated to enhancing the lives of young people with disabilities. Aaron's Acres is hoping to garner $1,500 in donations from the event.

Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance by going to https://secure.givelively.org/event/aarons-acres/aaron-s-acres-night-at-the-movies-2024.

"We're generally looking to offer nights out for families in the community, and it also serves as a fundraiser for Aaron's Acres," said Kate Mullen, the director of development and community relations for Aaron's Acres. "It's family focused. It's a special evening for families to come and see a movie together. The support we receive allows us to provide programs for young people with disabilities in our community."

The Angels have been associated with Aaron's Acres for about four years now. During that time, they've supported and assisted with similar events, like bingo, Aaron's Acres summer camp programs, crafts, games, bake sales and other fundraising activities.

"It's young people helping young people," said Mullen. "They brainstormed and together came up with the name. I think they felt like the term 'angel' kind of means they're protecting and watching over our participants, and they felt it was an appropriate name."

"We talk a lot about disability awareness," Mullen continued. "It's a great opportunity for them to come together and do community service and give back. Everywhere they go in their lives they'll be around people who are unique and different in many ways. It's important to appreciate that uniqueness. Maybe this experience will allow them to be more comfortable. Hopefully it'll make them feel comfortable being active participants in their community."

"(The Angels) are really interesting kids involved with a lot of different things," added Mullen. "It's interesting the kinds of things they fit into their schedules. They're involved with a lot of other things - sports, musicals, National Honor Society. We're there with them to show them heart and kindness. I'm really happy I get to be a part of it."

Aaron's Acres was established in 1998 by a group of local families that desired better services for their children with disabilities. Today, Aaron's Acres serves two groups of individuals with disabilities, ages 5 through 21 and ages 22 through 40, from Lancaster, Dauphin, Berks, Lebanon and Cumberland counties with a variety of seasonal programs.

For more information, visit http://www.aaronsacres.org.