HKSB News Release
Camp Helen Keller Ends Summer Session With a Celebration of the Movies
August 8, 2008—At Roosevelt Hall, on the beautiful and spacious campus of Farmingdale State College, Camp Helen Keller ended its 2008 summer session with an array of songs and skits dedicated to the movies.
With over 300 in attendance, including many a proud parent, sibling, aunt and uncle, the children of the camp danced and sang to such old familiar tunes as the Wizard of Oz’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “The Lollipop Guild” to modern day entries like “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” from Lilo & Stitch.
The show capped an already action filled summer of fun. In addition to their regularly scheduled activities (from indoor swimming to adaptive computer instruction to arts and crafts), the 42 children this year were visited by recording artist and New York native Gia Farrell. Gia answered questions regarding the music industry and performed her single, “Hit Me Up” which was featured in the movie Happy Feet.
“The show has such a special place in our hearts,” said Joy Losgar, co-president of HKSB’s Garden City League, a major supporter of the camp. “We love not only their enthusiasm, but watching the children grow over the years.” Other major supporters include Senator Owen H. Johnson, Senator Charles J. Fuschillo Jr. and the LI Northshore Alumnae Association of Delta Gamma Fraternity, who also attended.
Created in 1953, Camp Helen Keller is a six week free day camp for blind or visually impaired children, ages 5 to 15, and is located at Farmingdale State College — a coeducational, public college with more than 6,400 students pursuing degrees in one of 30 programs.
2008 Campers:
Freshmen: Jolene Castro, Hannah LoRusso, Jeraine Nieves, Nicholas Reid, Matthew Lichtenstein, Amy Estrada
Sophomores: Alexandria Bartkus, Jason Collazo, Najee Glover, Joe Gonzales, Christian Guardino, Faizan Jamil, Daniel Lizama, Ryan Mastrelli, Brooke McGinn, Dominick Sottile
Juniors: Anthony Accardo, Julianne Baker, Binyamin Brun-Kestler, Andy Castro, Michael Gilroy, Andrew Holtzman, Skylar McGarrity, Matt McGrath, Grant Neville, Tommy Ryan, Christopher Tancora
Seniors: Samantha Ambrico, Amanda Baker, Mechael Brun-Kestler, Alex Calderon, Joe DeJesus, Meredith Dwyer, Meghan Fink, John Gilroy, Chelsea Marks, Nick Muesch, Josh Rodriguez, Yaneth Scandoval, Jackie Smith, Matt Vinciguerra, Michael Ziminski
