Camp HASC holds inaugural dinner. (Transcripts).The inaugural dinner for Camp HASC HASC House Armed Services Committee HASC Hospital Association of Southern California HASC Hebrew Academy for Special Children HASC Hierarchical Administrative Subdivision Codes (international post codes) , a summer program for special needs children, held recently at The Puck Building The Puck Building occupies the block bounded by Lafayette, Houston, Mulberry and Jersey Streets in the borough of Manhattan, New York City, USA. This example of Romanesque Revival architecture, designed by Albert and Herman Wagner, was constructed in 1885 and expanded in 1893. in New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. , drew more than 450 supporters from the New York-area business and professional community. "They came to help ensure that children with cerebral palsy cerebral palsy (sərē`brəl pôl`zē), disability caused by brain damage before or during birth or in the first years, resulting in a loss of voluntary muscular control and coordination. , multiple sclerosis, Down's syndrome and autism autism (ô`tĭzəm), developmental disability resulting from a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain. It is characterized by the abnormal development of communication skills, social skills, and reasoning. have the opportunity to spend seven summer weeks at this award-winning sleep-away camp in the Catskill Mountains Catskill Mountains, dissected plateau of the Appalachian Mt. system, SE N.Y., W of the Hudson River. This glaciated region, wooded and rolling, with deep gorges and many waterfalls, is drained by the headstreams of the Delaware River and by Esopus, Schoharie, , which offers a supportive environment and trained professional care," said Rabbi Solomon Stem, executive director of HASC, The Hebrew Academy of Special Children, which runs the camp. "The warmth and support of the guests at the dinner was truly inspirational." Mitchell E. Hersh, chief executive officer of Mack-Cali Realty realty n. a short form of "real estate." (See: real estate) REALTY. An abstract of real, as distinguished from personalty. Realty relates to lands and tenements, rents or other hereditaments. Vide Real Property. Corporation was honored at the dinner with the 2003 Humanitarian Award for his efforts on behalf of special needs children. "The Hebrew Academy of Special Children is a wonderful organization that has improved the lives of so many children, providing truly excellent care and education," said Hersh in accepting the award. Co-chairing the evening were Charles Kushner Charles Kushner is a New Jersey real estate magnate and a major donor to Democratic politicians, most notably to Governor of New Jersey Jim McGreevey. On August 19, 2004, he pleaded guilty to tax violations and charges related to witness tampering. , chairman of Kushner Companies; Richard Stadtmauer, vice chairman and managing partner of Kushner Companies, and Bruce Schonbraun, managing partner of Schonbraun Safris McCann Bekritsky & Company. Each spoke of the importance of the camp experience for these children and how visiting the camp transformed their own lives. Barry Lefkowitz, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Mack-Cali, and a parent of a Camp HASC attendee, served as journal chairman. "Campers receive almost one-on-one attention from compassionate and skilled counselors, allowing the children to develop their potential to the maximum despite their disabilities," he noted. The evening also included a moving video presentation, which gave the audience a birds'-eye view of the camp: the preparation of meals to meet more than 100 different dietary requirements, the working partnership between therapists and educational staff, and the joy of the children. "Some of the campers call HASC their 'Heaven On Earth'," said Daniella Kestenbaum, a Camp HASC counselor who spoke on the video. "After their experience here, many of the counselors choose to pursue a career in Special Education." More than 250 youngsters attend the camp each year. They are supervised by 200 direct-care counselors, 18 special education teachers, 33 occupational, speech and physical therapists, a team of four psychologists and social workers, an 11-member medical staff and 16 sports and recreational leaders. |
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