Residents of the ACDS adult IRA’s posing for the camera Hundreds of Garden City friends and neighbors celebrated at the Annual St. Patrick’s party benefiting the Association for Children with Down Syndrome. On Saturday, March 6th the Association for Children with Down Syndrome (ACDS) hosted its second annual St. Patrick’s Celebration in the Parish Center at St. Agnes in Rockville Centre.

The tremendous room at the parish center was beautifully decorated with bright green and white festive colors. Most importantly, it was filled with almost 700 partygoers (including hundreds from Garden City) enjoying the fun and festivities of the evening.

As guests arrived, they were greeted by the sounds of the bagpipes and drums. The pipe & drum honor guard, dressed in their traditional Irish kilts, included members of NY Metro, a competition band based in Rockville Centre. The evening’s Irish music was provided by Waterford born entertainer, Martin Flynn and his band who kept everyone in the mood and on the dance floor. A friendly army of bar tenders and servers from Kasey’s Kitchen and Cocktails in RVC kept the cold Guinness pouring, the drinks flowing and provided the great food for the evening. Kasey’s also presented a generous donation to ACDS.

Supporters excitedly viewing the many donated auction items Garden City resident, Tim Michel, President of the Board of Directors, expressed his gratitude for the many generous friends of ACDS who supported the evening; and for the many volunteers who worked so hard at making the party fun for everyone.

Michael Smith, Executive Director of ACDS appreciated the hard work and dedication of the ACDS Board and the St. Patrick’s committee. Vinny Santo, Director of Development was thrilled with the success of the evening. He thanked the many volunteers and supporters who made the evening possible. He noted the generosity of so many individuals, merchants and organizations who donated items for the auctions and raffles.

Dancing to the night away to the traditional Irish music of entertainer Martin Flynn and his band. The event was a wonderful success and a tribute to the inspiring work of the many teachers, therapists, aides and administrators at ACDS. This year ACDS honored Gail Cooper and Val Steinberg, two long time ACDS staffers, who have dedicated years to the service of children and adults with down syndrome and other developmental disabilities.

ACDS, based in Plainview, is dedicated to providing lifetime resources of exceptional quality, innovation and inclusion for individuals with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities and their families! ACDS provides programs and services that include diagnostic evaluations, early intervention, day care/ nursery, preschool, special education and clinical services for children, from infancy to age 5; individualized residential services (IRA) for adults, age 21 and over; and evening and weekend recreation and socialization services for children, age 5 and over.

Dancing to the night away to the traditional Irish music of entertainer Martin Flynn and his band. The brightest stars of the evening were several of the residents of the IRA Group homes run by ACDS. Folks from each of the 7 homes established by ACDS danced and partied all night. Everyone enjoyed the evening. It was evident from the size of the crowd, the smiling faces, and the lively conversations that the Annual St. Patrick’s party benefitting the Association for Children with Down Syndrome was a fantastic time and will be a hot ticket next year.

Next up for the many friends and supporters of ACDS is the annual Golf Outing being held this year at the Garden City Country Club on Thursday May 6th. Please visit www.acds.org for more information.