More than 100 people came out last Saturday morning to the Viscardi Center Walk-n-Roll fundraising event in support of the center’s school for disabled children and Abilities vocational training center for disabled adults.
There was a festive atmosphere for the event on a brisk day as alumni, teachers, students and parents of students from Viscardi took two turns around the center’s large Albertson complex, walking and in wheelchairs, to raise money for the center in the second Walk-n-Roll event.
Denise Vargas, president of the Viscardi Alumni Association, said the primary mission of the graduates participating was “to bring awareness to the community and to help pay for programs at the school.”
Doug King, who attended the Viscardi School from 1973 to 1987, said, “This is basically where I started my school career. It’s still a great school to come back to, see old friends and support the school.”
“I’m glad to be back and see how the school has changed an evolved,” said Brandon Leonard, who attended Viscardi from 1981 to 1990.
King now has his own business and Leonard works for an elevator repair firm.
John Kemp, president and CEO of the Viscardi Center, thanked everyone for their support in remarks before the event began.
“We are proud of our distinctive history and where we’re going to go,” Kemp said.
He introduced one of the event participants, Viscardi alumnus Robert Pipia, an attorney who is executive assistant to Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray and the Republican candidate for 2nd District Court Justice.
“I’m an alumnus of the school. I want to support the school. The only reason I’ve had this opportunity is because Dr. Viscardi started this school.”
Dr. Henry Viscardi Jr., who himself wore prosthetic legs, established Abilities, Inc. in 1952 as a vocational training center to provide career skills to disabled veterans. In 1962, Viscardi established an accredited, independent school to give children with severe physical disabilities the opportunity for a high quality education.
Josh Weitzman and Michelle Norris were walking with their son, Abie, in his wheel chair and their son, Izzy, who was walking.
Abie, a fourth grader, has been attending the school since first grade and his father said, “It’s a great school. It’s been really great for him.”
Lisa Brown, a substitute teacher at Viscardi who lives in Herricks, said she was walking in the event to support the school and to honor her brother who is afflicted with multiple sclerosis.
She brought her daughter for the walk because, she said, “it’s important for to see how important the school is to the community.”
Kemp said he was pleased with what he called an “excellent” turnout for the fundraiser.
All adult walkers and rollers donated a $10 fee to participate or a $20 fee to receive a T-shirt bearing the new Viscardi Center logo as part of their participation in the event. Participants 12 years and under walked or rolled for free.
Jessica Swersky, president and COO of Abliities, said the event was a celebration of the Viscardi Center’s mission.
“We’re celebrating the capabilities of people of all people, living independently and living with the greatest dignity possible,” Swersky said.
Information on making donations to the Viscardi Center is available on the center’s Web site at www.viscardicenter.org:80/WaysToGive.aspx
