Recently, ACI staff donated dozens of toy for the annual toy drive for Saint Peter's University Hospital's - Children's Hospital in New Brunswick. The toy drive was organized by the hospital's Saint Peter's Foundation. Pictured with ACI volunteer Al Gomez is Erin and Marie, Saint Peter's Foundation staff. Thank you to everyone who donated!
Alex and Ani Fundraiser 2016
Thank you to everyone who contributed to our Alex and Ani fundraiser and purchased some of their awesome jewelry! ACI ended up raising over $250! We'd also like to thank the staff at the Red Bank store for their continuing hospitality!
Thank You to Everyone Who Donated to Our Holiday Food Drive!
ACI wishes to thank everyone for their recent donations to our Holiday Food Drive. The generous support from the local business and individuals has been overwhelming. Among the organizations and individuals who have donated were: NJ Division of Disability Services, Ernst and Young, The Woodbridge Township Food Bank Committee, JFK Medical Center - Patient Transportation and Hospitality Department, Guaranteed Rate Mortgage Company, Global Tax Management, Anthony Lanzanvo and Dan Davidson.
Thank you all! Your donations will help us meet the needs of people with disabilities and their families in our area.
Intern from Rutgers University Showcases the Importance of Exercise and Nutrition at ACI
Thank you to Saige Gomez, our intern from Rutgers University, for his 2-part workshop held on November 18th and 22nd that covered the importance of exercise, nutrition, and making healthy food choices. We appreciate Saige's passion, enthusiasm and creativity, while sharing his knowledge to our volunteers, staff, and consumers during the fall!
NJ Disability Pride Parade 2016 was the BIGGEST one yet!
More than 800 people crowded downtown Trenton for the 6th Annual NJ Disability Pride Parade on Friday October 7th. The event, hosted by Alliance Center for Independence (ACI), featured a wide range of entertainers, musicians, comedians, and dancers. Among the performers were: comedian Mike Cotayo, Red Neck Women Dance Troupe, Attach Avi Bollywood Dancers, singer/songwriter Johnny Crescendo and pop singer LACHI. Millie Gonzales and Maria Bournias were the mistresses of ceremonies.
"ACI is proud to organize this awesome event for the past 6 years," says Carole Tonks, ACI Executive Director. "Every year it gets bigger and bigger!"
ACI and Saint Peter's University Hospital Offer Free Flu Shots
ACI would like to thank Jennifer Ryan and Stephanie Peluso-Riti of Saint Peter's University Hospital's Community Mobile Health Services for providing flu shots to our staff and volunteers on November 15th. In addition to receiving flu shots, participants were also given information about the importance getting vaccinated for the flu annually. This was part of ACI's continuing health and wellness activities.
New Intern Assists ACI Volunteers with Popcorn Business
ACI welcomes our latest intern, Kabeer Downey! Kabeer is a business administrator major at Fairleigh Dickinson University and will work with our volunteers to help them develop valuable business skills, such as marketing and sales. Kabeer will assist ACI volunteers with the new ACI volunteer popcorn business through May of 2017. The very first batch of popcorn was met with approval by our young visitors. The volunteers will make, market, sell and distribute the popcorn. Check back here soon for details on the official launch their new business.
