Once upon a time, there was a little girl who had a pink wheelchair. She had big brown eyes, fabulous pigtails, and the greatest smile on earth. Every day she would go to school in a small yellow bus. Theresa and her friends would work very hard at school; as it did not come easy. Their favorite part of the day was recess because they got to play on the playground. Theresa loved motion, music and being outside.

When Theresa died, her family and friends established the Theresa Foundation to help children like Theresa. In her short lifetime, she was an inspiration to anyone who met her. In her memory, the Foundation supports music, dance, art and recreation programs locally and all over the country.

Each year, the Theresa Foundation hosts the Theresa Awards to recognize the outstanding efforts of those individuals who go above and beyond in helping and advocating for those with special needs. The Awards are presented at the Annual Theresa Awards Dinner held on the Friday evening closest to Theresa’s birthday. This is the Foundation’s main fundraiser of the year which enables the Foundation to fund programs locally and nationally in music, dance, art and recreation.

This year’s event is being held at the Bridgeview Yacht Club in Island Park on Friday, May 1^st at 7:00 pm.  We are proud to honor Mary Alice Jackson, Esq. and Fred C. Klein, Esq. for their tireless efforts within their communities.

You can support the Theresa Awards Dinner by making a donation here.  Please note that the journal closes April 10, 2015.  For more information, please call Kirrelle Freeman or Melanie Castillo at 516-683-1717.