MARYSVILLE — It’s a first for the Marysville School District, and its organizers hope that it can help simplify the lives of area families with children who have special needs.

The Marysville Special Education PTSA’s March 9 Resource Fair aims to bring together not only a host of school district personnel, but also a variety of private service providers and non-profit groups, so that parents of special education students can access all the resources available to them locally, at one place and time.

“We hope this can become an annual event,” said Pegi Langan, president of the Marysville Special Education PTSA. “The Arc of Snohomish County will be there, as will therapists and representatives of area Boys & Girls Clubs. I spent years driving to Lynnwood, then Mount Vernon, then Everett, for services I could have found in Marysville.”

Langan intends for this fair to highlight the resources available to special-needs children both within and outside of the Marysville School District, as she recalled how long it took for her to fit those two types of resources together without the type of assistance that this fair is designed to provide.

“I finally figured out it was a team effort,” Langan said. “In the process, I met many other families who also drove many miles north and south to obtain these resources. It benefits us all when we can make this a one-spot, one-visit deal.”

To that end, the Marysville Special Education PTSA is seeking exhibitors and donors, in addition to attendees, for the March 9 Resource Fair, which is scheduled to run from 4-7 p.m. in the Totem Middle School cafeteria. Those already set to appear at the event include representatives of Highline Community College, Eagle Wings Ministries, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Special Olympics and Camp Fire, as well as the Arlington-based Voices of the Village band.

“I like this collaborative approach,” said Barbara O’Kelly, vice president of the Marysville Special Education PTSA. “Different perspectives enhance [my daughter] Erika’s learning.”

To take part as a donor or exhibitor, call 425-754-9945. If you have questions, e-mail info@mseptsa.org or log onto mseptsa.org.