Contact:
Michael Basso
Director of Marketing & Public Relations
Springbrook
105 Campus Drive
Oneonta, New York 13820
Phone: (607) 386 4852
Email: bassom@springbrookny.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 27, 2022
Springbrook Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary of The Tom Golisano Center for Autism
On October 27th, 2022, The Tom Golisano Center for Autism at Springbrook celebrated its 10th anniversary. The Tom Golisano Center is New York’s premier program for young people with a primary diagnosis of autism. This celebration recognized ten years of distinction and ten years of scholarship and innovation. The event took place from 1:30 pm to 6:30 pm and was filled with fall-themed activities happening throughout the day.
The Leatherstocking Trolley Company provided trolley rides around the Main Campus while a staff member presented a brief history of the Main Campus. The trolley stopped before each house on campus for visitors to vote on the house best decorated for Halloween. Meanwhile, in the Golisano Center at the School, guided tours occurred every 15 minutes and provided visitors with a brief history of the center over the past 10 years and gave them a glimpse into what is in store for the center’s future.
Donors were treated to a private reception, with hors d’oeuvre and drinks provided by Lucy Townsend Catering, from 3 pm to 4 pm. CEO Patricia Kennedy addressed the donors and shared a video history of the past 10 years of the Golisano Center. A video that reflected one student’s experience at the Golisano Center was also shared, for which there were no dry eyes in the room. Springbrook board member Dr. Gerald Pondolfino, and Amanda Fitzgerald, president of the Springbrook Foundation, also addressed the room.
From 4 pm to 5 pm, all celebrants at the event were asked to join Springbrook staff, administrators, and students in front of the Family Engagement Center to commemorate the 10-year anniversary. Students from the school program walked in a parade to the seating area, where CEO Patricia Kennedy introduced board president Tom Maggs to speak, as well as Jane Wickstrom to share her experience and the experience of her daughter, Claire, who participated in the Golisano Center program. A dinner was held from 5-6:30 pm under a heated tent outside the Family Engagement Center for all in attendance. Dinner was provided by Mark Salerno Catering.
Looking to the future, The Tom Golisano Center for Autism will continue to focus on turning challenges into opportunities and supporting the growth and development of students and professional staff in their continued development.
