PepsiCo Employees Give Back to Ability Beyond Disability

On Wednesday, June 18^th, 30 employees from Westchester PepsiCo locations spent their day volunteering with Ability Beyond Disability in honor of national “Pepsi Gives Back Day.” Coordinated through The Volunteer Center of the United Way of Western Connecticut, volunteers engaged in two projects in Mount Kisco. One group of volunteers engaged in painting and gardening at a group home on Carpenter Ave and another spent the day with participants of the organization’s sensory enrichment program.

Employees who volunteered in the sensory enrichment program had the opportunity to directly interact with the people served by the organization. Volunteers played games and engaged participants in sensory stimulating activities such as playing musical instruments and aromatherapy. Volunteers also brought program participants to the petting zoo at Muscoot Farm in Katonah.

“The people we serve in this program truly benefit from interaction with volunteers; their days were brightened. PepsiCo and the Volunteer Center were wonderful to work with in planning this day,” says Fran Ferrusi, Community Support Coordinator at Ability Beyond Disability.

The employees who volunteered their time painting and gardening contributed to beautifying a home for 10 individuals.. “We want to create a home-like environment for all individuals who live in our group homes. By having fresh paint and flower gardens, residents feel like they are truly at home,” says Christine Faranda, Residential Coordinator at Ability Beyond Disability.

Throughout the Westchester area, about 500 PepsiCo employees participated in “Pepsi Gives Back Day,” serving over 20 community organizations 

On Wednesday, June 18^th, 30 employees from Westchester PepsiCo locations spent their day volunteering with Ability Beyond Disability in honor of national “Pepsi Gives Back Day.” Coordinated through The Volunteer Center of the United Way of Western Connecticut, volunteers engaged in two projects in Mount Kisco. One group of volunteers engaged in painting and gardening at a group home on Carpenter Ave and another spent the day with participants of the organization’s sensory enrichment program.

Employees who volunteered in the sensory enrichment program had the opportunity to directly interact with the people served by the organization. Volunteers played games and engaged participants in sensory stimulating activities such as playing musical instruments and aromatherapy. Volunteers also brought program participants to the petting zoo at Muscoot Farm in Katonah.

“The people we serve in this program truly benefit from interaction with volunteers; their days were brightened. PepsiCo and the Volunteer Center were wonderful to work with in planning this day,” says Fran Ferrusi, Community Support Coordinator at Ability Beyond Disability.

The employees who volunteered their time painting and gardening contributed to beautifying a home for 10 individuals.. “We want to create a home-like environment for all individuals who live in our group homes. By having fresh paint and flower gardens, residents feel like they are truly at home,” says Christine Faranda, Residential Coordinator at Ability Beyond Disability.

Throughout the Westchester area, about 500 PepsiCo employees participated in “Pepsi Gives Back Day,” serving over 20 community organizations

Ability Beyond Disability is a 501{c} (3) organization headquartered in Bethel, Conn. and Mount Kisco, N.Y. It provides a wide range of services for approximately 1,800 people with differing abilities -- including community and independent living options, employment training, career counseling, job placement services, cognitive and life skills instruction, clinical and therapeutic support, and volunteer and recreational activities. Today, its services extend into much of Connecticut and the Hudson Valley, New York. For more information please visit www.abilitybeyonddisability.org.

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