Brookville Center for Children’s Services held its first Steps Toward Tomorrow fundraising walk on Sunday, May 3, raising over $134,000 for priorities identified by each of its schools.
More than 350 people took part in the 1.5-mile Candy Land-themed walk on the center’s 20-acre property in Brookville. The walk ended at the Thomas S. Gulotta Wheatley Farms & Arts Center, where children petted farm animals, played ring toss, planted flowers, and painted rocks.
Brookville Center for Children’s Services educates special needs kids from preschool age through 22 years old. The center, which is partnered with AHRC, has four schools in Nassau County serving over 550 students. It is funded through public school districts, where if they cannot adequately provide an appropriate education for a child with special needs, can refer the child to the Nassau AHRC. Mary McNamara, the foundation director for Nassau AHRC, said the fundraiser is important to provide the best equipment to their students.
“Government and school funding provide the basics of what a student needs in providing a free and proper education, but when parents get involved and the community too, we are able to enhance that education experience through an event like this,” McNamara said.
