LI Community Members & People with Disabilities Raise Over $31,000 for Adults and Children with Disabilities at ACLD Walk/Run

JUNE 14, 2017; BETHPAGE, NY– More than 150 Long Island community members and people with disabilities recently supported ACLD Foundation and the over 3,000 people that Bethpage-headquartered Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities, Inc. (ACLD) serves each year by participating in ACLD Foundation’s Second Annual Walk/Run: Journey To An Enviable Life at Heckscher State Park in East Islip, where the event raised more than $31,000 benefiting ACLD programs and services. The activities kicked-off with opening remarks from ACLD Executive Director Robert C. Goldsmith, followed by a pre-run stretch and warm-up led by HOPEFitness, a fitness and sports training center that provides classes and fitness programs for participants who are physically or intellectually challenged.

The event included a 5K Walk/Run and a 1K Fun Run. Both non-competitive, untimed events were held on flat, paved courses so adults and children of all ages had the opportunity to take part, along with participants in wheelchairs. T-shirts and refreshments were provided and Cox Media’s WBAB provided on-site music as the event’s Media Sponsor.

The Walk/Run benefited ACLD, a leading non-profit organization whose mission is to provide children and adults with autism, learning and other developmental disabilities with opportunities to pursue enviable lives, increase independence and foster supportive relationships within the community.

“Our Second Annual Walk/Run was a great success,” said Robert C. Goldsmith. “The smiles on participants’ faces were priceless. So many people came together to support our mission – the pursuit of an enviable life for the people we serve. We thank our generous event sponsor Pilot RB, as well as our parking sponsor, Bethpage Federal Credit Union, and the volunteers who helped make this such a meaningful and memorable day.”

ACLD collected used and unwanted clothing during the Walk/Run for donation to RewearAble, the agency’s green program designed to help the environment while providing sustainable employment for adults with learning and developmental disabilities. RewearAble accepts clothing and fabrics, linens and bedding of all types and sizes. All RewearAble donations are tax-deductible. For more information about RewearAble or to schedule a donation pick up at your home, please contact (516) 822-2099 or visit www.rewearable.org.

Founded in 1957, Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities, Inc. (ACLD) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency. Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2017, the organization continues to provide opportunities for children and adults with autism, learning and other developmental disabilities to pursue enviable lives, increase independence and foster supportive relationships within the community. ACLD employs more than 1,100 people and operates 80 different program sites including group homes and apartment programs across Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Service programs include early childhood services, day habilitation, residential alternatives, vocational training and job placement, recreation programs, respite, family support services, Medicaid service coordination, and medical and behavioral health services. For more information visit www.acld.org

# # #

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

• Image DSC_6232: Excitement and anticipation were in the air at the starting line of the second annual ACLD Foundation’s Journey To An Enviable Life Walk/Run recently held at Heckscher State Park in East Islip benefiting programs and services Bethpage-headquartered Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities (ACLD) provides each to year to over 3,000 people with disabilities.
• Image DSC_6248: Team Wildwood's Laura Flaherty (far left) wheels Debbie Ferguson while Elizabeth Thomas (right) wheels Amy Corkhill as they are cheered on at the second annual ACLD Foundation’s Journey To An Enviable Life Walk/Run recently held at Heckscher State Park in East Islip benefiting programs and services Bethpage-headquartered Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities (ACLD) provides each to year to over 3,000 people with disabilities.
• Image: DSC_6332: Enthusiastic participants hit the trails during the second annual ACLD Foundation’s Journey To An Enviable Life Walk/Run recently held at Heckscher State Park in East Islip benefiting programs and services Bethpage-headquartered Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities (ACLD) provides each to year to over 3,000 people with disabilities.