Over $36K Raised in East Meadow for People with Special Needs

March 11, 2019; East Meadow, NY – Long Islanders recently dealt their best hands at Havanas Cigar Club at The Carltun in East Meadow for making a difference in the lives of children and adults with special needs during ACLD Foundation’s inaugural “Poker for a Purpose,” which raised more than $36,000 to benefit Bethpage-headquartered non-profit Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities, Inc. (ACLD) and the people who rely on ACLD for support.

The event brought people who support ACLD together with members of the ACLD family and the community for some casino-style fun as they played in support of ACLD’s mission to provide children and adults with autism, learning and other developmental disabilities with opportunities for pursuing enviable lives, promoting their independence and fostering supportive relationships within the community.

“Our goal for this first event was to have fun while raising awareness and funds for the support of ACLD’s mission,” said ACLD Executive Director, Robert C. Goldsmith. “We exceeded our expectations with the turnout, and look forward to building on this year’s success and making next year’s event even better.”

More than 100 poker players and spectators participated. The fun-filled event consisted of gourmet food, open bar and a tournament that offered prizes to the top five winners. Non-poker players were able to join in the fun as well and were invited to take a seat at the “learn to play” table. Major sponsors included King Sponsors: Fusion Architecture and Bank United; Queen Sponsors: Merritt Environmental Consulting Corp., Varsity Plumbing, Freedom Home Improvements, Hotel Indigo and Lessing’s Hospitality Group; Jack Sponsors: Royal Elite BBQ, Admiral Insurance Bridge, Corp., The Cornerstone Group of New York; Grand Prize Movado Watch Sponsor: SVS Fine Jewelry; and Photography Sponsor: Concierge Photography.

Founded in 1957, ACLD is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit agency whose mission is to provide opportunities to more than 3,000 children and adults with autism, learning and developmental disabilities to pursue enviable lives, promote independence and foster supportive relationships within the community. ACLD employs more than 1,300 people and operates more than 87 different program sites including community residences and apartment programs across Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Services include early childhood services, day habilitation, residential alternatives, vocational training and job placement, recreation programs, respite, family support services, and occupational, speech and physical therapies. For more information, visit www.acld.org.

PHOTO CAPTIONS (Photo credit for all photos are courtesy of Alex Wolff-Concierge Photography):

• Photo A: Pictured is Mobile Cigar offering a fine selection of cigars to attendees during ACLD Foundation’s Inaugural Poker for a Purpose held at Havanas Cigar Club at The Carltun.

• Photo B: Pictured are poker players enjoying a night of friendly competition at ACLD Foundation’s Inaugural Poker for a Purpose held at Havanas Cigar Club at The Carltun.

• Photo C: Pictured is ACLD’s Executive Director, Robert C. Goldsmith (right) with ACLD’s Chief Operating Officer, Robert Ciatto (left) during ACLD Foundation’s Inaugural Poker for a Purpose held at Havanas Cigar Club at The Carltun.

• Photo D: Pictured at Havanas Cigar Club at The Carltun from left to right is Grand Prize Winner of ACLD Foundation’s Inaugural Poker for a Purpose held Igor Zakh from The Cornerstone Group of New York with Rob Burnett from Admiral Insurance Bridge, Corp., Rodney Roberts and Jennifer Corkin from Royal Elite BBQ and Russell Nova of The Cornerstone Group of New York.

• Photo E: Pictured at Havanas Cigar Club at The Carltun during ACLD Foundation’s Inaugural Poker for a Purpose is its Committee Co-Chairman, Ben Cooper (right) with Jack Sponsors Rodney Roberts and Jennifer Corkin from Royal Elite BBQ.