FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 17, 2013
MEDIA CONTACTS: Collin Nash, Ryan Mulholland, & Sam Marksheid | (516) 869-7794
Port Rowing & Town Help Raise Over $30,000 for Autism Awareness
North Hempstead, NY – Supervisor Jon Kaiman, Councilwoman Dina De Giorgio and the North Hempstead Town Board welcomed over 800 rowers from across the tri-state area and 3,000 spectators to North Hempstead Beach Park on April 13th for the 2nd Annual Row for Autism.
Over $30,000 was raised by Port Rowing for scholarships for adaptive rowers as well as for the purchase of specialized Adaptive Rowing Equipment, which enables a teenager to be paired with a typical peer mentor.
Supervisor Jon Kaiman was delighted with the overwhelming support of the event and said, “With more and more children being diagnosed with Autism, it is increasingly important to have events such as these that raise awareness and raise funds to give disabled children the opportunity to participate in a sport they love.”
“The turnout for today’s event was truly remarkable,” Councilwoman Dina De Giorgio said. “I applaud Port Rowing and all the teams that came out today, as well as everyone who donated their time and money to raising Autism awareness.”
The day included races between high school teams as well as between adaptive rowing teams.
This summer the Town of North Hempstead will be partnering with Port Rowing to offer adaptive rowing summer camps, adult summer rowing, and youth, middle school, and high school camps. Registration for these camps can be found on the Port Rowing website: www.PortRowing.com.
Back row, From left, Senator Jack Martins, Town Clerk Leslie Gross, a winner from the Port Rowing Adaptive rowing team. Nassau County Legislator Wayne Wink, Councilwoman Dina De Giorgio, Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman, Town Councilwoman Anna Kaplan, Executive Director of Port Rowing Steve Panzik, and Nassau County Legislator Judi Bosworth; Front row: 3 winners from the Port Rowing Adaptive Rowing Team