2024 Summer Appeal

"The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show the compassion and the will to help others.”
- Albert Schweitzer

Greetings Dear Friends,

I would like to begin by wishing you all a very happy summer. This time of year, conjures up wonderful memories for me of running through sprinklers with my brothers, sisters, and friends, climbing trees, riding bikes, fishing off the local bridge, and playing ball until sundown. Summer seemed to last forever when we were kids, and when school let out in June the entire summer stretched before us loaded with possibilities and adventures. Those were golden days! Now that I am (a little) older, I realize the season will go by in the blink of an eye. All the more reason to make each moment count! And I hope you share in my excitement about the possibilities and adventures that lie ahead. 

You are receiving this letter because you have a history of supporting the good work of The Guild for Exceptional Children (GEC), our outstanding charitable organization that has been providing care and support to children and adults living with intellectual and developmental disabilities for 65 years. At GEC, we live Dr. Schweitzer’s words every day. It is our mission to serve, our desire to help, our willingness to truly care, that adds purpose to our lives. As always, I begin and end this letter with an appeal to you to join us in our mission.

First, I would like to share a few short stories with you about our work.

Peter Gets a New Home

A few months ago, Peter was facing an uncertain future. He had been diagnosed as a child with severe Autism and was placed for some years in a residential school in upstate NY operated by OPWDD (The Office for People with Developmental Disabilities). This year he turned 22 and was aging out of the State-run residential school system. He ended up on NY State’s Emergency Placement list. His adoptive parents were concerned about his future. They knew about GEC, because many years ago, Peter’s uncle Stephen, lived in one of GEC’s residences. Stephen had been diagnosed with multiple disabilities including Cerebral Palsy, and had lived first in GEC’s Martini Residence, and later in our Quinones Residence. He ultimately developed brain cancer and passed away, following 30 years of truly heroic & loving care by GEC’s residential staff. His family always remained impressed and grateful for the care Stephen received at GEC. In March of this year, Peter found a new home and new friends at GEC’s Santangelo Residence. He is very happy at Santangelo. “The manager (Tina), and the staff are really nice!” Peter told me. He also enjoys going on trips, making new friends, and eating a variety of foods (his favorite is chicken and waffles.) He also looks forward to frequent visits from his parents, and going for long neighborhood walks with them. Peter also attends GEC’s Without Walls (WOW) program and loves it. His favorite volunteer work sites are Skinflints and 5 Below.

Image: Peter, enjoying new friendships and outings

Staff Spotlight:
GEC Special Education Teacher Celebrates 25 Years of Inspiration

GEC is lucky to have many dedicated and experienced teachers on staff at the Carrie Mastronardi Early Childhood Center.  Chris Diaz is one of the preschool’s most experienced teachers, with over 25 years of service working with GEC’s preschool students.  She has always worked with students with severe language deficits and different learning styles. Chris continually looks to bring in exciting lessons and experiences to her students. She is a role model of professionalism, dedication, and caring for other educators and GEC is very fortunate to have Chris on our staff. In her teaching career Chris has graduated over 200 students and is looking forward to 200 more! In Chris’ own words: “The children I teach are my inspiration each day and the reason why I love what I do. My vision is to always have a classroom where a child is smiling and knows that they are always loved and feel accepted.

Image: Christine, helping students learn and grow

Vita starts a new life at GEC

Vita, a 58-year-old woman who had been residing at home with her family, experienced a significant loss when her mother passed away. Following this difficult time, Vita began receiving support from a compassionate caregiver and her loving sister. Her sister reached out to our organization, the Guild, to explore options for residential and day programs. Upon joining our day program, Vita seamlessly integrated into the community, forging new friendships and eagerly participating in every activity offered (Zumba, BBQ’s, Bowling, arts and crafts, art studio, greenhouse etc.). She also joined our music program and joyfully participated in a number of civic events performing with GEC. Vita now attends the day program five days a week, enthusiastically taking part in numerous events, celebrations, community outings, and activities. She is relishing her new lifestyle with the GEC and eagerly anticipates moving into a GEC residence in August.

Image: Vita, enjoying some holiday events at Day Habilitation

GEC Celebrates Community Appreciation

Last week GEC celebrated our Community Appreciation Luncheon. It is something that we like to do to give back to the community that has been so kind to our people over the years. 
This year GEC acknowledged five individuals/groups who have gone above and beyond in supporting our individuals and staff through some very difficult times. Karen Tadross, founder of Bay Ridge Cares, Domenic Pinello from the Knights of Columbus John Hughes Council, the Christian J Santo Legacy Foundation, Gargiulo’s Restaurant, and Maggie Gu  & Ying H. Chen owners of Park Asia Restaurant…Each party received an award created by our program participants and were serenaded by a group from the music program with their rendition of “A Whole New World” from Aladdin. 

Over the past few years, all of these folks have, in Schweitzer’s words, shown “the compassion and the will to help others”, and have left indelible marks on the hearts of all of us at GEC. These are people who are creating a whole new world, one act of kindness at a time. GEC is looking forward to honoring many other community leaders who have supported our mission at future events.

Images: One of GEC’s artists & music group appreciate community leaders

So where do you come in? I am asking, as I have before, for you to consider being part of our mission. We are building and growing now, with a new program about to open in Mill Basin, and major life/safety upgrade projects nearly completed in four of our residences, we are supporting our infrastructure and preparing to expand. There are so many families asking us for help, and we would like to be there for them. We are also at a point where NY State is suffering from its worst workforce crisis in decades. It’s tough to recruit staff when so many businesses have moved to remote work; something not possible with the personal nature of what our staff do. So, I’m asking you to be part of something truly beautiful, whether you want to work with us (I’m serious) or contribute what you can, you can help us build better lives for people with I/DD. How to we effect positive change in the world? One Act of Random Kindness at a time.

GEC Celebrates LIFE!

In closing, I want to tell you about a wonderful summer kick off dinner-dance GEC held at Gargiulo’s last week. Not a fundraiser, this was a party for the people we serve and their staff. Wow, do these folk know how to party! I have to tell you, running a nonprofit organization that supports over 500 people and their families can be very stressful, but last week when I was surrounded by so much sheer joy and love, I turned to someone and said, “I have the best job in the world!” Just look at a sample of some of the party pictures (more on our website). These are some of the people you would be helping when you support GEC!

Image: GEC participants dance the night away at Gargiulo’s

At GEC we love what we are doing. So, if you can find it in your heart to be part of our world, I know a whole bunch of beautiful people who would appreciate it; please consider donating to our worthy efforts, and please use this letter to spread the word about us, or share a link to our website gecbklyn.org

I hope you have a happy and wonderful summer!

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful”
— Albert Schweitzer

Joe Riley GEC
Executive Director/CEO

There are a few ways to donate:

Mail-in Form

Download a printable version of the form and mail-in with a check.

Donate with Cell using the QR Code and your smartphone

Donate to our Summer Appeal Online by Credit Card

Other Giving Opportunities

Engage by cell
You can use your cell phone to make a donation. Please text gec to number 56512

Securities, Trusts and Real Estate
Donations in the form of: stocks, bonds, mutual funds, securities or real estate can offer the contributor a substantial tax benefit. Please consult with your tax advisor for current IRS rules and regulations.

Planned Giving
Planned gifts such as: gift annuities, deferred payment annuities and remainder annuity trust can offer the donor numerous tax benefits. The Development Department can provide information that would allow you and your tax consultant to choose a plan that meets your financial needs.

Wills & Bequests
The most important reason to have a will is to ensure that you are the one who decides how your estate will be divided. By remembering the GEC in your will, you will help perpetuate a legacy of care that has existed since 1958. If you already have a will, a codicil can be added. Please consult with your attorney.

Matching Gifts
To double or perhaps triple your donation, please inquire if your employer has a matching gift program. Please include the matching gift form with your donation. The Development Department will complete the form and return it to your employer for processing.