Amanda's Easel Art Studio to Be Dedicated to Founder

On Monday, June 20, Amanda's Easel Art Studio will be dedicated to William H. Thomas, founder and trustee of the Friends of Amanda Foundation.

Thomas was a community activist, fundraiser and caring grandfather who passed away Dec. 24, 2010. He was the grandfather of Amanda Wengert, who was murdered at age 6 in 1994.

The event is being held by The 180 Turning Lives Around organization of Hazlet. Representatives from 180 Turning Lives Around will be joined by Allison Blake, Commissioner of NJ Department of Children and Families, as well as Monmouth County Prosecutor Peter E. Warshaw, Jr. Karen Wengert, Amanda's mother, will also be present. 

The Friends of Amanda Foundation partnered with 180 to form Amanda's Easel in 1997. The organization has served thousands of Monmouth County children and their non-offending parents affected by domestic violence with a variety of creative arts therapies and case management services.

In addition to the dedication ceremony, attendees will have the opportunity to tour the studio, which houses art, dance, and play therapies, as well as recently added music therapy. There will also be a music therapy demonstration, led by Board-Certified Music Therapist Kim Febres.

The event will take place in an undisclosed location.