LIE’s record-setting donation will help support ACLD’s RewearAble program, providing employment opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities and special needs
Long Island Elite (LIE), one of Long Island’s leading non-profit mentoring and philanthropic organizations, announced today that it will be making a $100,000 donation to its 2018 Charity Partner of the Year – Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities, Inc. (ACLD). The money is designated to support ACLD’s RewearAble program, a self-sustaining and integrated used clothing collection business that provides paid employment for adults with varying degrees of abilities.
Long Island Elite raised awareness and funds for ACLD throughout 2018, beginning in the spring and culminated with hosting an over-the-top charitable event drawing over 300 guests to Oheka Castle on September 27, 2018. Held under the awe-inspiring Big Top, “The Greatest Giving on Earth” themed charity event was based on “The Greatest Showman” theatrical musical – Inspired by the imagination of P.T. Barnum. During the event, over 50 talented artists showcased their mystical acts and Victorian Era circus performances. The top headliner to the evening was Loren Allred – The magical voice behind “Never Enough” in The Greatest Showman movie. Allred brought the house down with her live performance to the billboard hit, and she also sang “This Is Me” for all attendees during dinner.
Honorees at the LIE event were “Company of the Year” and “The Greatest Giving on Earth Presenting Sponsor” – Petro Home Services; “Contemporary Award” recipient – Kimon Bekelils, MD, Chairman of Neurointerventional Services for Catholic Health Services of Long Island (CHSLI) and Director of the Stroke and Brain Aneurysm Center of Excellence in Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center; and “Employees of the Year” – SkOUT Secure Intelligence.
“LIE members truly embraced ACLD as our 2018 Charity Partner of the Year,” commented Dawn Strain, Long Island Elite Founder and Event Producer. “This was a record-setting year for LIE as our fundraising efforts came to fruition and by delivering the single largest donation LIE has ever made to a non-profit in our 17-year history.”
The $100,000 is benchmarked to help build a new, two-story facility for RewearAble on the Bethpage campus of ACLD. It will become the RewearAble Training and Processing Center. Construction of the new RewearAble building is scheduled to begin in 2019.
“It is our privilege to support ACLD and their RewearAble program,” added Michael Stern, President of Long Island Elite. This was truly a momentous occasion and we know this money will help ACLD reach its goals.”
“The RewearAble program is changing the lives of people with different abilities as it demonstrates that a business can modify its structure to adapt to an employee’s capabilities,” said Robert C. Goldsmith, Executive Director of ACLD. “RewearAble is providing critical vocational skills for people with special needs. Both ACLD and LIE are dedicated to the growth and development of people, which makes us a perfect match. We are honored that LIE selected our agency as its 2018 Charity Partner of the Year.”