STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Guinness World Record for the largest human puzzle piece was broken Wednesday morning, as a sea of humans draped in blue stood side by side to advocate for autism awareness and acceptance at St. George’s Staten Island University Hospital Community Park.
It took a total of 2,423 people — including children, parents, teachers, business owners, non-profit organizations and local leaders — to set the new record at the Puzzle for Autism event. The previous record was set in 2019 by the Association for the Protection of Persons with Autism–Pervasive Developmental Disorders (P.D.D.) with 1,702 people in Maniakoi, Greece, according to records.
The GRACE Foundation — which is committed to increasing the quality of life for children, teens, adults and families living with autism — brought the vision back on track this year, pulling together over 60 non-profits, schools, elected officials and businesses to join the event. (Steve White for the Staten Island Advance) Steve White for the Staten Islan
“It was an honor to come here and be part of the largest human puzzle piece. I know it meant a lot for our students to be part of such a big event, which is very exciting,” said Raquel Cipriano, a teacher at the Richard H. Hungerford School. “It was a very inclusive event, and there was something for everyone to do. The students were very, very comfortable.”
The District 75 school serves students with special needs and is located on the grounds of the Michael J. Petrides Education Complex.
Originally, non-profits across Staten Island planned Puzzle for Autism event two years ago, however the pandemic was in full force, and the event never happened.
The GRACE Foundation — which is committed to increasing the quality of life for children, teens, adults and families living with autism — brought the vision back on track this year, pulling together over 60 non-profits, schools, elected officials and businesses to join the event.
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