by Cris Italia
With April designated as Autism awareness month nationally, students set their sites on helping a local center for children afflicted with developmental disabilities. The idea came up when Gill D'Ambrosio, a security guard at Boardman, suggested that the students could raise money for The David Center, in Rockville Centre.
"I have a nephew at the David Center," D'Ambrosio said. "I've been waiting to bring this up to [Principal] Dr. [Karen] Siris for a while. I just hoped she felt the same way I did."
Upon hearing about the idea, Siris quickly reached out to her Student council advisors, Renee Lewin and Judy Calb. The brainstorming began as to what activity the school could take part in to raise money. The school decided on walking or running a lap each day on the around the field. For each lap by a student a dollar would be donated to the David Center. With 430 students at Boardman Elementary and each walking at least a lap at recess everyday for the next four weeks, students will be able to raise a lot of money for a good cause.
"It's a wonderful fundraising walk on behalf of the school and students," said Executive Director and President of the David Center, Dr. Patricia Elvir. "We plan to be there on the last day and thank the students for their tremendous help."
Students didn't seem to mind, while raising money for a good cause they are both learning about a disability and getting physical exercise at the same time. "We are helping people who can do all the stuff that we can do," said Julia Boms, a student at Boardman.
As one student explained, the event has helped students better understand Autism. "I never knew what Autism was," Alec Melker said. "Now that it's been explained to me I want to help in any way I can."
One of the most important times for a child afflicted with Autism is when he/she goes through inclusion. "There needs to be an acceptance when you bring children with Autism and normal children together," Dr. Elvir said. "The success of inclusion can make an immediate and direct impact." She added that success of inclusion does not only depend on the disabled child, but also the normal students and the environment around them.
The David Center was created in 1997 as a place for parents and children to go to learn more about Autism and developmental disabilities. The center is located on 176 No. Village Avenue, Suite 2H, in Rockville Centre. For anyone who would like to know more about The David Center call, 536-3717 or log onto www.thedavidcenter.org.
