Abilities!

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24th Annual Reach for a Star Spring Luncheon

January 2006
Abilities! Annual Spring Luncheon to Feature a Special Tribute to the Students of the Henry Viscardi School for Their Efforts to Raise Money for Students with Disabilities Affected by Katrina

Abilities! Reach for a Star Committee, a local group of prestigious, dedicated women, has for over 23 year’s hosted a spring luncheon to support the children with disabilities at Abilities! Henry Viscardi School. Since it’s inception, the Reach for a Star Committee has raised over 2 million dollars for HVS. Today the Spring Luncheon is one of the best-attended social events on Long Island, attracting over 500 influential people from the community. The 24th Annual Reach for a Star Luncheon is scheduled for April 6, 2006 and will take place at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury, NY.

This year’s guest speaker is celebrated Newscaster and Actress Bree Walker. Another special feature of the event is a special tribute to New Orleans and the students of the Henry Viscardi School, by the New Orleans Garden District Orchestra.

This past September, just two short weeks after Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans; the students of The Henry Viscardi School held a fundraiser to support students with special needs who had been victimized by the hurricane. The students solicited pledges from family, friends, neighbors and local businesses. Each student earned his or her pledge by doing laps around the Henry Viscardi School, JK Kids Park track, a difficult task for many students (84% of the students of the Henry Viscardi School cannot transfer from their wheelchairs). In the end over $6,700 was raised. These funds were used to repair wheelchairs and buy therapy equipment for students with disabilities in Louisiana who were displaced from their homes. The band, also dislocated by Katrina, will play authentic New Orleans songs in honor of the Henry Viscardi School children and their new friends in Louisiana.

Providing an accredited academic program for grades pre-k through 12, for children aged 4 through 21, the Henry Viscardi School at Abilities! serves children with severe disabilities who reside in as many as 72 school districts on Long Island, New York City and Westchester, County.

For more information about the Luncheon call 516-465-1520.

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