World Down Syndrome Day 2023 Theme:
With Us Not For Us
DATE:
Saturday, March 18, 2023
SITE:
Macy's Court
Roosevelt Field, Garden City, NY
Alexander's Angels
WHERE INDIVIDUALITY IS CELEBRATED
WHO WE ARE
Alexander's Angels is an
All-Volunteer Organization
EST. 2007 EIN: 26-2660724
We further the awareness of Down syndrome and support research.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jose Ramon Asteinza, BS
Alexander's Grand Uncle
Jose Ramon emigrated from Cuba as a teenager. Residing in NJ makes it difficult to attend Alexander's Angels event, something that he did regularly with his wife Carola. They contributed much to the success of the raffles. Still involved, still attending meetings and contributing insights, but not so much attending events.
Maria Cristina Barcia
Licensed Real Estate Broker
DOWNrightART Liaison
A native of Ecuador, Maria Cristina has been a long time friend of Alexander's family. Her brother, the only male and the youngest of six siblings, was a special needs child. In addition to handling private real estate, Maria Cristina also managed a large medical office.
Yelena Nemirovskaya, BS
Lab Administrator, St. Giles Laboratory Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases,
The Rockefeller University, NYC, NY.
PR Committee Liaison
Yelena teamed up with Alexander's Angels through her role as a Lab Administrator in the St. Giles Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases at The Rockefeller University in NY. She loves attending all of the events, including the annual Buddy Walk, WDSD and research conferences, and her family usually joins her, including her young son, Noah.
Eve Pollack, BA
Co-Adviser, Youth/Self-Advocates Group
Born and raised on Long Island, Eve came to the Buddy Walk with her mother in high school in 2015 and has been very involved since! Founding member of the Youth/Self-Advocates group! Her passion for our work and organization has only gotten stronger. She is currently pursuing her master's in social work at Fordham University to be the best advocate possible for special needs individuals. She loves bringing and seeing the smiles of all our event attendees!
Esther Gomez-Nieto, MS
President, Alexander's Angels, Inc.
Alexander's Grandmother
After her retirement as Visiting Instructor at SUNY College at Old Wesbury, Esther helped establish Alexander's Angels, named after her grandson Alexander, who was born with Down syndrome. When not taking care of the organization, she is busy traveling with her husband Juan (Alexander's Angels Treasurer) to enjoy some of their 10 grandchildren living on Long Island, CT, FL, CA, ND and TX.
Juan Gomez-Nieto, MBA
Treasurer, Alexander's Angels Inc.
Alexander's Grandfather
Juan was Budget Director of Sterling Drugs until the corporation was sold. He stayed with one of the buyers, Bayer, for many years. Retiree. Volunteers at NYU Langone hospital in Mineola. He travels often to visit her children and grandchildren.
Ricardo Gomez-Nieto, MBA
Secretary, Alexander's Angels, Inc.
Alexander's Uncle
IRicardo, Alexander’s proud uncle, has been involved with Alexander’s Angels since its inception in 2007. He is a senior member of the Civil Air Patrol Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron who, an in-kind supporter of Alexander’s Angels Long Island Buddy Walk since 2012. Ricardo and his wife Jeanne have three children, Ricky, a senior at UND, and Lauren, a senior and Paige, a sophomore at JFK High School in Bellmore.
COMMITTEES OF THE CORPORATION
Entertainment
Michael O'Connell
Carrie Marone
Steve Marone
Renee Persandi
Carol Petitpain
Robert Petitpain
Events
Maria Polizzi
Fundraising
Valerie Lynn-Nicosia
Barbara Sottile
Luisa Belletti
Registration/Merchandise
Eileen McAuliffe
(Registration)
Nancy Kalinoglu
(Merchandise)
Safety
Robert McAuliffe
Public Relations
Scott Horodyski, Photography
Anthony Cuccia, Graphic Design
Sabrina Ghiozzi, Web Design
Meghan Schaefer, Social Media
Paige Gomez-Nieto, Social Media
Laurie Schaefer, Social Media Adviser
Mary Farkas, Social Media Adviser
Eva Garcia Rodriguez, BS
Lead Clinical Laboratory Technologist
Northwell Health
Co-Adviser Youth/Self-Advocates Group
Born in Colombia and raised in Brooklyn NY. Obtained a science degree in Hunter College and work in a Cell Genetics Laboratory in Northwell. Happily married with three beautiful children. My middle child, Carlani, has Down syndrome. Always willing to volunteer.
Paula Sanchez,
Special Education Teacher, Achieve Beyond
Yelena is a Member of Alexander's Angels Board of Directors and PR Committee Liaison. She teamed up with Alexander's Angels through her role as a Lab Administrator in the St. Giles Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases at The Rockefeller University in NY. She loves attending all of the events, including the annual Buddy Walk, WDSD and research conferences, and her family usually joins her, including her one-and-a-half-year-old son, Noah.
Eva Garcia Rodriguez, BS
Co-Adviser, Youth/Self-Advocates Group
Entertainment Committee Liaison
Born in Colombia and raised in Brooklyn NY. Obtained a science degree in Hunter College and work in a Cell Genetics Laboratory in Northwell. Happily married with three beautiful children. My middle child, Carlani, has Down syndrome. Always willing to volunteer. At Alexander's Angels two major annual events, if you want to meet the entire Rodriguez family (and friends), look for them at the Arts & Crafts tables helping children and adults!.
Paula Sanchez, MS
Special Education Teacher, Achieve Beyond
Down Syndrome International (DSi) Liaison (Education)
Paula became involved with Alexander's Angels before the organization became official. In 2007, when the organization became official, Paula continued to get involved and joined the board. Paula has been working with individuals with disabilities from age 2- adult for over 15 years.
Edward Schneiderman, PhD
Down Syndrome International (DSi) Liaison (Education)
Raffle Committee Liaison
Higher education as faculty, Administration and Research. Business as a Human Resources Director for both large and small companies. Social worker. Walden University, Ph.D. Management; Long Island University C. W. Post, MBA; Queens College, BA Political Science
Ronnie Schneiderman, MS
Raffle Committee Liaison
Teacher in pre-K, elementary and high school. Dowling College – MS Education; Queens College – BA Education and Anthropology
Ronnie and her husband Ed are the proud grandparents of Alexander's Angels Youth/Self-Advocates Co-VP, Jamie Bernstein of the "J-Team."
IN MEMORY
Founding Members
Alexander's Angels, Inc.
Margaret "Marge" Savoca
Esther Trelles Asteinza
Marge was Alexander's maternal grandmother and Esther was Alexander's paternal great grandmother. Not only they didn't miss an event while they were able to attend, but they were very involved, attending meetings, helping with the planning as well as lending their hands during the events.
OUR HISTORY
OUR INSPIRATION
THE "ALEXANDER" BEHIND THE "ANGELS!"
Alexander Gomez-Nieto, now living in Simsbury, CT, was born in Scottsdale, AZ, in 2001 to two Long Islanders (NY). At age 21, Alexander, a graduate from Simsbury High School is a very active young man. He has learned to swim, has taken horseback riding, is a member of a baseball team, loves to go to the movies, and when he was in 4th grade was elected class rep by his classmates at Squadron Line School. At the same school, he took part in the 6th grade play The Magical Land of Oz in the spring of 2014. He has played hockey, soccer, Flag football, and was part of the Simsbury High School men's choir. While in 10th grade he earned his first high school sports letter. He enjoys playing his electric guitar and has been part of a theater class. We are very proud of all that Alex has accomplished!