And

Presented

Long Island Celebrates!

2022 Theme: #InclusionMeans

Sunday, March 20, 2022, 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Macy*s Court

Although announced in the program, the above video (under 4 minutes) could not be shown at the event due to technical difficulties. Click on the arrow, turn up the volume, and enjoy!

We Rocked the mall!!!

World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), 3/21, is indeed a very symbolic date as Down syndrome occurs when 3 rather than two copies of the 21st chromosome are present.

WDSD 2022 Theme: #InclusionMeans

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Blank Posters

During the event, participants were invited to write their view of what inclusion means.

Star Wars guard the Inclusion Means posters.

One of the posters.

Star Wars writing their messages.

Writing messages

The Inclusion Means table got busy with everyone wanting to express their thoughts.

Another poster

This poster was printed at home and brought to the event.

Peek-a-boo!

The Inclusion Means hanging posters were a big attraction.

Having fun!

Never too young to express your feelings.

This is what Inclusion Means!

Even Darth Vader wanted to be included.

Checking the messages

Massapequa HS students check the messages

DJ Chris takes a break!

Chris took a break to check out the posters

This is fun!

The poster display certainly was an attraction.

Great message!

Loving one another

More visitors

Esther and Juan join Star Wars

Another message of love!

Mary Farkas checks the messages

Mary, whose brought up the idea of the posters, took time from helping at the event to check out the messages.

Organizer: Alexander's Angels Youth/Self-Advocates

Click Here to Meet Our Team!

Left: Co-Presidents Kyle Erickson and Lauren Gomez-Nieto and Co-PR Coordinator/Social Media Paige Gomez-Nieto, visiting the mall while organizing the event.

Right: Lauren & Kyle.

Below: Paige, Co-VP Jamie Bernstein, Co-Secretary Cali Rodriguez and Co-PR Coordinators/Illustrators CJ Rodriguez (with sister Lani) and Kellie McAuliffe at the event on 3/20/22.

Disc Jockey

Sponsored by East Neck Insurance, DJs Chris and Jason kept the party going!

Raffles, T-Shirts sales, Journal Ads, and Sponsorship helped raise funds for DS research

THANK YOU!!!
Raffle contributions:
Adventureland,
Dance Dimensions, Pajamas for Peace,
and John's Crazy Socks

Donations:
Knights of Columbus Memorare Council 3476,
St. Aidan's School, Leo Club of W. Babylon H.S,
Eric & Yelena's Friends and Family, Diane Ettlinger*.

*

Above is the cover of the journal published annually and distributed during our WDSD event. Click on it to read about Diane and Jason's special donation.

THANK YOU!

Alexander's Angels board members Dr. & Mrs. Schneiderman and Registration Committee Chair Eileen McAuliffe for manning the raffle table. Rick Gomez-Nieto, Alexander's Angels secretary, his wife Jeanne, and members of the Civil Air Patrol for manning the t-shirts table. And we thank Mary Farkas and Eve Pollack for their help everywhere.

Arts & Crafts

Team Carlani knows how to have fun while keeping the children occupied. Click twice on the grid for more pictures and text.

Invited Organizations Tables

From left to right: Alexander's Angels table. Board members Yelena Nemirovskaya and Eric Klein who manned the table speak with Dr. Xiao-Fei Kong and with Kyle's father, Frank Erickson. Brittany Schiavonne, founder of Brittany's Baskets of Hope who was in the Today show the day after the event. One of Brittany's baskets to welcome babies with Dow syndrome. The ACDS table who provided the awesome Let's Groove Zumba performers. Dr. James Dolan, Executive Director of the Charles Evans Center and former board member of Alexander's Angels speaks with Alexander's Angels treasurer, Juan Gomez-Nieto. The Charles Evans Center facilitated las year's virtual WDSD celebration in collaboration with Alexander's Angels. The Civil Air Patrol table. Whether in uniform or in civies, this group has been provided invaluable help to Alexander's Angels at all its major events. Also represented at the event was the Down Syndrome Advocacy Foundation. And, although not occupying a table, Massapequa High School students, pictured below, provided help wherever needed.

VERY COOL FACT!

As in many of our past events, the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) cadets will lend a hand again. It did not go unnoticed that both, the squadron as well as the mall are named after Lt. Quentin Roosevelt. Click here for historic facts on Roosevelt Field.

Karaoke with Alexander's Angels Youth Self-Advocates
joined by the West Babylon Leo Club

Click at the center of the gallery below to view pictures.

Then, click on arrows to advance pictures.

Karaoke time!

Breaking the ice!

Even Star Wars danced to the tune by a great singer!

Karaoke time!

1/12

Once again, the Leo Club of West Babylon H.S. raised funds for our event. Thank you, Leos, for your contributions and participation in our two major annual events since 2012.

Bob and Eileen McAuliffe (Kellie's Koalas), with Alexander's Angels since 2007, added a romantic touch during karaoke. Celebrating their 24th Wedding Anniversary the next day (3/21), Bob dedicated a song to Eileen. Eileen captured Bob's dedication on the video to the right (click to view). Congratulations, and many more!

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.