Rockville Centre Goes Blue For Autism Awareness

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY — RVC Blue Speaks, the largest Long Island-based grassroots autism charity, will honor those in the community with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) this April for World Autism Month by “Lighting it Up Blue.” The charity has arranged for the tree at Rockville Centre Village Hall to be lit blue beginning April 1. The community is invited to show its support by purchasing blue ribbons for their homes at Art Florist in Rockville Centre, beginning March 21. Bows are $10 each and 100 percent of each purchase will be donated to RVC Blue.

Around the world, April is dedicated to increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism. Since its inception in 2017, RVC Blue Speaks has raised over $250,000 for autism research, support and education. Its fourth annual gala scheduled for 2020 was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There will be no in-person event this year, but the group has kicked-off an online and mail fundraising campaign to raise $50,000 for autism education, scientific research and family support.

“This past year was one of the most difficult of our lifetime. COVID-19 has shined an important light on the challenges that those with autism encountered during the pandemic. Now, more than ever, our ASD community needs our support,” said Anthony Cancellieri, co-chair of the board of directors. “Over the past four years, Rockville Centre and the surrounding communities have generously opened their hearts and donated to support families affected by autism. On behalf of the RVC Blue Speaks Board of Directors, we very grateful for your continued generosity.”

RVC Blue Speaks works to raise funding for genetic research, support programs and community initiatives that directly serve families in need on Long Island and beyond and to change the conversation about autism into action and progress.

To date, the group has donated thousands to support those with autism through grants and scholarship programs. Funds raised support the Seaver Autism Center for Research & Treatment at Mount Sinai, Autism Speaks, The Hagedorn Little Village School, RVC High School Scholarship Fund, Adelphi University Bridges Program and other organizations focused on helping individuals with ASD.

In previous years, the RVC Blue Speaks annual gala honored people for their service and commitment to support the ASD community. Last year, before the COVID-19 pandemic, the group had planned to honor entrepreneur Joe Winters, who passed away earlier this year. Winters served as chairman and CEO of Winters Bros Waste Systems, a provider of recycling and solid waste services on Long Island. Together with his wife, Michele, Winters founded the Winters Center for Autism, a vocational training and job placement program for people with autism.

Anthony and Mary Lou Cancellieri of Rockville Centre founded RVC Blue Speaks in 2016 when their grandson Louis was diagnosed on the autism spectrum. The charity’s mission is to promote awareness and acceptance of those affected by ASD to enhance their quality of life and empower them to achieve their full potential, as well as to funds for genetic research, support programs, and community initiatives that directly serve families in need on Long Island.

For more information about RVC Blue Speaks or to learn more about lighting it up blue this April, please visit the group's website or Facebook page.