September 22, 2014
The Viscardi Center held its Golf Outing on September 9 at the prestigious Meadow Brook Club in Jericho where over 100 golfers teed off to raise vital funds for the Center’ employment and transition services programming. Robert Codignotto, Complex Branch Manager and Senior Vice President/Investments, of Stifel was honored at the event. Mr. Codignotto has been actively involved with the organization for many years. A former New York Saint lacrosse player, he attends and joins the cast of the student/athlete performance presented at The Viscardi Center’s annual Celebrity Sports Night fundraiser held each May. View photos from the golf outing.
The Viscardi Center’s core mission for the past 60 years has been to prepare children, adolescents and adults with a variety of disabilities, through education and skill building, for entry and re-entry into the workplace and to live meaningful lives. Proceeds from the golf outing help provide and enhance the vital employment training, placement and school to work/community transition services Abilities, Inc. at The Viscardi Center provides to thousands of adolescents and adults each year.
During the evening’s program, Kenneth Kunken, Deputy Bureau Chief of the County Court Trial Bureau, Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, spoke about the profound impact the Center’s services have had on him from an employment standpoint and how securing a job empowered him in so many other areas of his life.
John D. Kemp, President and CEO of The Viscardi Center, encouraged attendees to think about what they could do to assist in increasing the number of people with disabilities participating in today’s workforce, “Make a hiring policy change to interview at least one qualified person with a disability for every open position. Join our Business Advisory Council. Offer an internship.”
Major event sponsors included Cablevision and Physicians’ Reciprocal Insurers. The full-day event included a brunch, a best ball shotgun start, a Hole-in-One Challenge for a BMW lease, fresh pies donated by Briermere Farms in Riverhead, a cocktail reception, silent auction, and awards ceremony. The event was co-chaired by Phyllis Angello, retired IRS operations manager, and Roy Danis, Managing Director of Campari America.
Watch for details on next year’s golf outing which will be held fall 2015.
About The Viscardi Center: Founded by Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr., who served as disability advisor to eight U.S. presidents and became one of the world’s leading advocates, The Viscardi Center educates, employs and empowers children and adults with disabilities. It provides Pre-K through High School education, school-to-work transition services, vocational training, career counseling and placement, assistive technology and workforce diversification assistance to children, adolescents and adults with disabilities, and businesses. A global leader, it employs 300+ professionals, including experts in education, human resources and technology.