By:JOSEPH KELLARD
The American Legion of Island Park will host a Casino Night for children with Down Syndrome April 23. All are invited to play craps, blackjack, roulette and more -- strictly for gifts. The $50 admission charge will help build a sensory playground and gymnasium for the children at their school in Plainview, the Association for Children with Down Syndrome (ACDS).
The school's PTA is joining hands with the veterans in producing the event. The PTA will collect about 40 gifts large and small that will go to the gamblers with the most chips and the matching numbers in the event's raffle drawings. The American Legion veterans will provide the casino games and personnel, as well as a free buffet and two drinks with admission.
"[The community's] donations of gifts or services will help raise funds so that we can purchase much-needed educational supplies and equipment to assist the children of ACDS and help them develop to their full potential," said Lisa Moore, chair of the Casino Night, whose son, Max, 5, attends the school.
ACDS was established in 1966 with the mission to improve the quality of life for students with Down Syndrome and other developmental disabilities. The only school of its kind in the U.S., ACDS introduces its children to a classroom setting, and after their graduation provides programs for kids up to early adulthood.
"ACDS is a nationally renowned early-intervention and pre-school program that paves the way for our children to be accepted and included in the world beyond our doors," Moore said.
Moore's father, Joe Aniano, president of the American Legion in Island Park, has made ACDS the pet charity of his post, which also supports many other causes. Aniano believed that a Casino Night would be a great way to raise funds, though it is a new undertaking for both ACDS and for his post.
"I've been contributing to them for quite some time," Aniano said. "After we renovated our facility, I realized that it lends itself perfectly to this kind of an event, and I brought my idea to the school's PTA."
Aniano said the PTA and veterans hope to sell about 150 tickets for the event. "We're shooting to raise about $5,000 or $6,000," he said. "That would be a pretty substantial fund-raiser right off the bat. If it works out, who knows? Maybe we'll have a second or third Casino Night or make it a quarterly event."
Moore said the gymnasium the school plans to build is estimated to cost about $40,000, and she is hoping to raise about $10,000 on Casino Night. "I may be shooting a little large," she said, "but, hey, why not?"
For tickets and information, call Aniano at (516) 431-8727 or ACDS at (516) 933-4700.
