ACLD Welcomes Back First Volunteer Group Since 2019

After more than a two-year hiatus, the volunteer program at Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities, Inc. (ACLD) has made a triumphant return this summer, thanks to the hard work and dedication of Garden City-based Keller Williams Realty of Greater Nassau and its supporters. ACLD is a leading not-for-profit agency on Long Island with a mission to help children and adults with disabilities pursue enviable lives, increase their independence and foster supportive relationships within the community.

Keller Williams Greater Nassau participated in outdoor maintenance activities such as laying down mulch, planting annuals and perennials, and preparing ACLD's planters for vegetable planting season. Volunteers also painted 46 birdhouses, one for each of ACLD's residences. Keller Williams Realty, a leading technology and real estate franchise, holds an international day of service each May called RED Day (Renew, Energize, Donate). On RED Day, all Keller Williams franchises around the globe close, and their staff and agents head into their local communities to partake in service projects. “At Keller Williams, our motto is ‘Give Where You Live’. This is our focus, throughout the year. The importance of giving back to our local communities is paramount as these are the same communities that support our businesses, day in and day out,” said Gina Padro, NYS Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker with Keller Williams Realty of Greater Nassau and Team Leader of the Gina Padro Team.

As part of their RED Day efforts, Keller Williams hosted a RewearAble goods and clothing drive for the two weeks leading up to the day of the event. RewearAble is a clothing recycling program designed to create sustainable employment for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In total, 1,119 pounds of clothing were collected and donated to ACLD’s RewearAble Program.

"We are very happy to be welcoming back volunteers to our campus," said ACLD President/CEO Rob Ciatto. "For 65 years, community connection has been a cornerstone in our mission to provide enviable lives to the people we support. As we navigate this new normal, we are excited to see volunteers back on our campuses."

For more information on volunteer opportunities, call Sarah Klaum at (516) 822-0028 x211.

About Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities, Inc. (ACLD):
Founded in 1957, ACLD is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit agency whose mission is to provide opportunities to children and adults with autism, learning and developmental disabilities to pursue enviable lives, promote independence and foster supportive relationships within the community. ACLD employs more than 1,200 people and operates more than 100 program sites including community residences and apartment programs across Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Services include early childhood services, day habilitation, residential alternatives, vocational training and job placement, respite, family support services, and occupational, speech and physical therapies. For more information visit: www.acld.org