Alexander's Angels Gets Long Distance Support

Down Syndrome Non-Profit To Benefit From HS Fundraiser

Alexander’s Angels, a Long Island-based Down syndrome non-profit was recently selected as the subject of a Littleton, Colorado high school marketing class project. Michael Rexroad, a student in Barbara Bolen’s class at Heritage High School, proposed and received approval for Alexander’s Angels to benefit from a fundraiser being held at his school on April 11. Michael reached out to Alexander’s Angels via email; remarkably, there had been no previous connection between Alexander’s Angels, Michael or anyone from Heritage High School.

As of press time, Alexander’s Angels and the Heritage marketing class are scheduled to “meet” virtually on April 15 via Skype. The funds raised by Michael’s fundraiser will be added to proceeds made at this year’s annual Friendly’s fundraiser, which will be held Monday, March 17 at the restaurant’s Bay Shore, Commack and Smithtown locations.

Additionally, the Jericho-based Alexander’s Angels and the Hauppauge-based Down Syndrome Advocacy Foundation (DSAF) have teamed up to organize a World Down Syndrome Day celebration on Long Island scheduled for Saturday, March 22 at Adelphi University’s Performing Arts Center in Garden City. All proceed will support Down syndrome research.

The fundraising component of the celebration will be the highly anticipated benefit performance “Let the Angels In” at 7:30 p.m.  Over a dozen dancers under Massapequa native director/producer/choreographer Juliet Dolan, owner of NuBella Productions, will take the stage of Adelphi’s Dance Theater for an inspirational and entertaining performance to raise funds and awareness for Down syndrome research. A repeat performance will be held on Sunday, March 23 from 3 to 5 p.m.

“Celebrating World Down Syndrome Day: Believe in the Possibilities…” will also feature a symposium and reception. The Long Island celebration will kick off at 4:30 p.m. in Adelphi’s Performing Arts Concert Hall with “Why is Down Syndrome Research Important?” – a free, 90-minute symposium conducted by leading experts in the field of Down syndrome research. The symposium will be followed by a light fare reception from 6:15 to 7 p.m. on the second floor Atrium.

Please note that advance registration and tickets are required for all of the event’s activities and is available online at www.alexandersangels.org/id104.html. The symposium is free of charge with the reception priced at $20 per person and tickets for either the March 22 or March 23 dance performances are $25 per person.

World Down Syndrome Day has been celebrated on the 21st day of the third month since 2006 to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome. The day has been observed officially by the United Nations since 2012. 

While Alexander’s Angels and DSAF have different missions, the field of research as it relates to Down syndrome unites all who share this common cause. Therefore, it seemed appropriate the two non-profits join together to ensure an appropriate celebration and donate the funds to research, an area that benefits the greater number of individuals.