GEC newsletter autumn_Layout 1 10/2/12 11:34 AM Page 1

Please consult with your tax advisor for current IRS rules n GEC SPECIAL FUNDS and regulations. GEC’s 3rd Wine Tasting Experience & Buffet Unrestricted Funds – Contributions support GEC general operations Planned Giving – Planned gifts such as: Gift Annuities, Deferred Payment Annuities, and Remainder Annuity EXCEPTIONAL NEWS Building/Renovations Fund - Contributions support the Trust can offer the donor numerous tax benefits, The expansion, renovations and purchases needed to Development Department can provide information that maintain all GEC facilities would allow you and your tax consultant to choose a plan The Guild for Exceptional Children, Inc. Tree of Life- “All Occasion Gift” – Contributions spon - that meets your financial needs. 260 68th Street ~ Brooklyn, NY 11220 sor donor leaves or stones to support the Building- Wills & Bequests – The most important reason to have Autumn 2012 (718) 833-6633 ~ www.gecbklyn.org Renovations Fund a Will is to ensure that you decide how your Estate will Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work” , stated “We are truly blessed to have GEC’s 3rd Wine Tasting Experi - Greenhouse-Horticulture Therapy Fund – be directed. By remembering the GEC in your Will, you ancient philosopher, Aristotle. Although these words were our special workers support us ence & Buffet was held at Lai Contributions support Greenhouse operations and will help perpetuate a legacy of care that has existed Yuen Restaurant, Brooklyn. (L-R) since 1958. If you already have a Will, a Codicil can be uttered thousands of years ago, they still resonate today, with with all our mailing needs. program needs. GEC program participants working in the Brooklyn area. With They take pride in their work Anthony Cetta, President, Bd. of added. Please consult with your attorney. Ceramics Workshop-Art Therapy Fund – a smile on their faces and a sprint in their step, GEC program and we are grateful for their Directors; Paul Cassone, Execu - Contributions support the Ceramics Workshop opera - Matching Gifts – To double or perhaps triple your dona - participants welcome the opportunity to be productive citizens help.” GEC’s training staff. tive Director/CEO; Peter Fer - tions and program needs. tion, please inquire if your employer has a “Matching Gift in their community. Carmen Scallon, Supervisor of Community Rosa Zamona, Marizol Cruz raiuolo, Esq. & Liz Amato, Hon- Program.” Please include with your donation the match - Worksites, stated,” I have been part of this program since June and Martin Zilberman empha - orary Chairs: Cody McCone, Esq. Residential Fund – Contributions support the mainte - ing gift form. The Development Department will 2003. The program started with 6 individuals and we now have sized that the tasks of folding & Rhea McCone Honorees, nance and operation of all GEC residential facilities. complete the form and return it to your employer for 52 individuals and are still growing. With Out Walls (WOW) Pro - letters and affixing stamps and labels to envelopes, helps Ciara & Kaeleigh McCone and processing. gram is less restrictive and offers greater independence and Personal Assistance Fund – Contributions support the community inclusion . to improve attention in follow - State Senator Marty Golden. maintenance and operation of all GEC residential facilities. Cash or Check Contributions – Cash or check contribu - Individuals have ing instructions, as well as With special appreciation to Wine tions are appreciated in any amount to support GEC pro - opportunities to en - eye-hand coordination. Sponsors: Henry Harde, Inc. Wine & Liquors and Titudi Mosato Wines. Many thanks to Reception Co-Sponsors: n GIVING OPPORTUNITIES grams, services and building expansion/renovations. gage in experiences Rhea & Cody McCone (Harbour Abstract) and Liz Amato & Peter Ferraiuolo, Esq. , as well as, Dessert Sponsor Ted Memorial /Tributary – Contributions can be made in and activities with Tom Ryan, Program Participant has worked with great enthusi - (pictured L–R) Tom Ryan enjoys working Maloy (RPM Insurance & Financial). n memory of/or in honor of someone special or to com - Please make your check payable to: others in the com - with all members of the BRFCU organiza - asm at the Bay Ridge Federal memorate special occasions, such as a birthday or The Guild for Exceptional Children, 260 68th Street, munity.” tion, especially Mrs. Rando, who considers Brooklyn, NY 11220 Attention: Development Department. You Credit Union (BRFCU), since Tom an vital asset to the company. anniversary. Acknowledgement letters will be sent to the Wendy’s located at 2008. Maria Rando, Marketing intended individual or family apprising them of your can also use any major credit card to make an online payment when you visit our website at gecbklyn.org. Shore Road and Bay Representative commented, “Tom is my right-hand. He helps Tee Time for the GEC thoughtfulness. The amount of the donation is not Parkway in Brook - with many office tasks such as: replenishing paper in all the disclosed. lyn, has been a GEC office copiers, preparing promotional materials for community Securities, Trusts and Real Estate – Donations in the If you have any questions concerning “Giving worksite for many distribution and stuffing envelopes for mailings.” Mrs. Rando form of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, securities or real Opportunities”, please contact the Development years. Steve Caso, added, “We are like a tight –knit family at BRFCU and Tom is (pictured L-R) Steve Velasquez, GEC Day Hab Trainer; definitely a member of our family. We work together as a team.” estate, can offer the contributor a substantial tax benefit. Department at (718) 833-6633, extension 228 Wendy’s owner es - Anthony Ciraolo, Maureen Rico, Jorge Solis, GEC tablished the work Mrs. Rando conveyed on behalf of Mr. Gene Brody, BRFCU program participants appreciate being part of the Wendy’s work force. Steve Caso, Wendy’s owner, program to foster President, “ Work - stated, “my customers praise our GEC workers for good relations with ing closely with the Our second Golf Outing in June at always doing a good job.” the Wendy’s Corpo - GEC, especially Marine Park Golf Course. (L-R) • Autumn Gala – Friday, October 12, 2012 , El Caribe, Brooklyn ration and the GEC. “Cleaning tables, trays and countertops, with Tom, gives us a Paul Cassone, Executive Director / as well as organizing tables are tremendous tasks, particularly feeling of apprecia - • 4th Annual Cove Reunion – Saturday, October 13, 2012, tion and satisfac - CEO; Golf Committees Members: when it’s crowded. The GEC work force always gets the job Salty Dog Restaurant, Brooklyn done,” stated Mr. Caso. He added, “We have a strong customer tion in making a Anthony Ciccone, Ronnie Can - base and our customers continually express their support for difference in the terino, Anthony Cetta, President • 4th GEC Wine Tasting – February, 2013, Lai Yuen Restaurant, Brooklyn, Date – TBA this special work program. Wendy’s employees enjoy working community.” The Bd. of Directors; Bartolo A. Alle - Save side by side with the group. If some of my employees are out next big task at gretti, Golf Chairman; Committee • Spring Luncheon/Gift Raffle – Sunday, March 10, 2013, Gargiulo's, Brooklyn for the day the GEC workforce is a tremendous help.” hand is the re-loca - tion of the entire Members, John Cambio, Jr. • 2nd Beer Tasting/Coney Island Nite – Friday, March 15, 2013, Anthony Canadé, John Cosgrove, the “Many people, in our society, place a high value in having the BRFCU operations Marine Park Golf Course, Brooklyn opportunity to work and most of us wish to be active contribut - this fall to 1750- Thomas Ryan, program participant/ ing members of our community. The work WOW participants 86th Street. Tom volunteer; Eleanor Schiano, 2nd Vice President ; Noreen Ryan , parent/volunteer, Annette Schoen, Chief Financial • GEC Benefit Concert – starring the Steve Augeri Band do helps them develop new skills, gives them opportunities to stated, “I am happy Officer. (Missing) Golf Committee Members: John Abi-Habib, John Cambio, Sr. Edward J. “Ted” Maloy IV, John Date (former lead singer of Journey) , Saturday, March 23, 2013, get to know people that they may otherwise not have met and to work with such McHugh, John Ryan and John Zaremba. St. George Theater, Staten Island makes them feel like productive members of society”, stated wonderful people, I Patricia Romano, Assistant Executive Director for Adult Day enjoy my job and Special thanks to our Major Sponsors: Flushing Bank (Barbecue Sponsor), Family of Angela Canadé (Award Cere - • 3rd Annual Golf Outing – Friday, May 17, 2013, Services. look forward to help - ing them prepare for mony Sponsor), Bren Transportation (Beverage Cart Sponsor), Family of Donald Holtz (Golf Related Raffle Prizes), Marine Park Golf Course, Brooklyn (pictured L-R) GEC program participants Frankie The Gateway Church, in Brooklyn, is another work site. Pro - their move.” Bayside Fuel Oil Depot Corp. (Putting Contest & Golf Range Sponsor) n McNeil, Liya Mardakhayeva, Lynette Griffith, T.J. n gram participants assist with the church‘s direct mailing. Rev. Mulligan, Richard Brancaccio, Florence Wilson with Barbara Yovinam, a big supporter of the work program, said, Rosa Zamora, WOW program trainer. GEC newsletter autumn_Layout 1 10/2/12 11:35 AM Page 2

Message from Anthony Cetta, President Bd. of Directors A Special Thank You Message… 2012-2013 Board of Directors - Installation Ceremony This past year presented a number of challenges for the GEC. However, I am happy to report that we prevailed and continued to meet the needs of our participants and fulfill our mission. Board of Directors supports GEC ‘s mission to “To help children and adults living development disabilities lead We have continued to make progress by improving our facilities and by now, the Quentin Road dignified and satisfying lives, reaching their fullest potential and assisting families in every step of their journey.” n Day Hab Program Center is nearly completed and plans for our Wellness Center are in the Twenty seven years ago, God blessed our process of being developed. The continuing financial crunch, at all levels of government, will challenge how we deliver our services, but be assured, the GEC will not lose its identity as a family with our daughter Elizabeth, who has family focused organization. Down Syndrome. She is the youngest of our 4 children. The financial plan we established a few years ago to diversify our source of funding from relying solely on public funding, to developing funding from families friends and private foundations Her brothers and sister thought she was the proved to be a wise move. Governmental funding cuts have been replaced by cautiously man - most wonderful and beautiful baby they aging and strategically investing our cash reserves and increasing our fundraising efforts. The success of our efforts is in large part due to your support. had ever seen. My husband and I agreed with them, but we also knew that the years The care and affection shown to our participants each and every day is extraordinary. By providing a stimulating and ahead would not always be easy. There caring environment, our program participants are allowed to live happy, satisfying and fulfilling lives. Although we look would be many physical and mental chal - to our fiscal year 2013 with a degree of trepidation, I am confident that with your support it will prove to be a year of lenges facing her. continued accomplishments and successes. n Our journey started at the William Message from Paul Cassone, Executive Director/CEO O’Conner School, which gave her a great foundation. At age 5, she entered the Some members of the Sena family: (L-R) Celeste, Christopher, Michael, Thank you for your interest in the GEC. As you know, we were founded by parents who decided Elizabeth, Lauren, Fran , Frank and Grandson Michael Laboure Special Education Program (Pictured L. to R.) Hon. Luigi R. Marano, Robin Gottlieb Treasurer; Harriet Rosenberg, Noreen Scotto, Kim Cuomo-Biondi, Eleanor it was critical to build a better world for people living with developmental disabilities. That until she graduated at age 21. This Schiano, 2nd Vice President; Anthony Cetta, President; Dr. Steven Majewiez, Karen Mazzone, Corresponding Secretary; Frank Sena and Stanley Ramsdal, Assistant Treasurer. need and that Mission continues and I am pleased that we are serving more people than ever. program gave her the academic and social skills she needed to lead a productive and fulfilling life. Now came The GEC administration has been working hard to evolve with the times, increase our what we felt was our most important decision. Elizabeth needed a place to go probably for the rest of her life. efficiency and flexibility and to meet the continuing needs of those who count on us each day. We have worked to move the GEC forward on many fronts and despite challenges we face, Where would we find such a place that would provide an environment that would nurture her, teach her, give her The Gil Hodges Organization Goes To Bat for GEC Pre-Schoolers we have had many successes. safety, give her independence and most importantly make her life have meaning and purpose? The GHO’s donation support recreational programs for GEC’s pre-schoolers v We have increased our service base and are implementing plans to expand services in Eight years ago our family moved to Bay Ridge and our new neighbor worked at the Guild for Exceptional Children. who are living with developmental disabilities. Brooklyn to the Marine Park area. God does work in mysterious ways!. We decided to investigate this program. From the first interview we had with Pat Romano, we had a great feeling. We knew this was the right fit for our daughter. In September of 2006, Eliz - v We have addressed shrinking budgets by making adjustments to service delivery, modifying our investment abeth entered the Without Walls Program. Each day would be spent at a different job site, where she would learn strategies and working smarter and more efficiently. v We have made further adaptations to residences to improve accessibility for individuals who are aging. new skills and meet many wonderful people. She never thought any job she did was trivial. She continues to come v We have developed plans to create a Wellness Center for our senior citizens and secured support through home every day with a sense of great accomplishment and tells us how hard she works and how much the people the Northfield Bank Foundation. at each job site need her. About a year and a half ago she started traveling independently to and from the Guild v We have assisted hundreds of children living with developmental disabilities learn the skills they need to carry on a city bus. This has been her greatest accomplishment of all, except for her stopping at the deli each morning The GEC Carrie Mastronardi Early Child - on more successfully with their education and be more independent and productive throughout their lives. for her bagel and coffee. hood Education Program, welcomed Gil v We have developed exciting new volunteer opportunities to showcase the ways that the people in our care can be valuable contributing members of the community at the same time they work to develop new work Hodges Jr., President /Founder of The Gil My entire family will always be indebted to the Guild for Exceptional Children. The staff and administration are skills. Hodges Organization (GHO) and Fredrick P. We are working in collaboration with Street Sounds and Fender Musical Instruments to develop a Music Program dedicated to all the participants. They have patience and kindness beyond what we could have ever imagined or v Scuteri Jr., GHO Vice President. The Gil for our many talented program participants. hoped for. Our family prays each day for the continued success of the Guild for Exceptional Children. v We have developed a Core Values Structure (STRIVE) and are working with staff to preserve the wonderful traditions Hodges Organization “is dedicated to chari - of the GEC and ensure that those values remain intact both with current staff and managers as well as new staff. We realize that we, as parents, must all do our share to make sure that the Guild continues its great work in Bay table acts that raise public awareness and v We have continued our excellent record of quality care and have ensured that our residences and day programs Ridge and continues to serve our special children for a very long time. I don’t know what the future holds for continue to excel at meeting and exceeding the many mandated NYS and Federal regulations. encourage supports of recreational activities Elizabeth. Hopefully she will one day very soon be living independently in one of the GEC residences. Thank you (Pictured L to R) Gil Hodges Jr., Paul Cassone, GEC Executive Director/ v We have held new, innovative fund-raising events to help us tell our story to new supporters and are increasing our for children and families in need.” n to all at the Guild for Exceptional Children for giving our daughter a future filled with endless possibilities. n CEO; Dr. Alice Guercio, GEC Early Childhood Center, Assistant Executive reach to foundations, individuals and non-traditional (non-governmental) funding sources. Director; Matthew Kenderick, Physical Education teacher and Fredrick P. None of the above would have been possible without the continued dedication of the hundreds of individuals work- Scuteri Jr., with staff and pre-schoolers. ing at the GEC and without the continued support of membership, the Board and the communities we serve. n Celeste and Frank Sena