A "Garden of Hope Gala" to benefit children with autism was held at the Garden City Hotel on June 23. The event, attended by over 450 Long Island residents, was held in honor of New York State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo Jr., who was recognized for his dedication and support for the ASCENT school. Fuschillo, who serves on ASCENT's board of trustees, has secured several New York State Grant Funds for the school's educational programs and curriculum.

This was the third annual gala held by ASCENT, based in Glen Head, in an effort to provide funds for the school's programs. Gala attendees enjoyed cocktails, dinner and dancing in addition to a casino lounge and Chinese auction where they bid on over 100 items. All profits went directly to the ASCENT school.

ASCENT is a private school for children with autism and atypical pervasive developmental disorders. The school provides a full day academic and behavioral treatment program for children between the ages of 3 and 21. The school is offered to children for 12 months. ASCENT was created to avoid having children sent to institutions and to allow them to live in a natural environment with their families while helping them learn skills that allow them to live like a regular member of the community, including making the transition into public school classrooms.

"ASCENT school provides a valuable one-on-one service to children with special needs and is only successful because of the dedication that its volunteers and board of directors provide," Fuschillo said. "I am greatly honored to have been recognized with this prestigious award."