Walk-A-Thon In Honor of Jack A. Garofalo
As you may or may not be aware, our son, Jack, left for his heavenly journey on January 19, 2009. This has been a very painful and heart wrenching ordeal. Not a day goes by that we do not recall the wonderful memories we hold in our hearts and, while they are all wonderful memories, they are also sad because we miss him so much. Our family, friends and community have been a tremendous support.
Our Jack was a lifelong resident of New Hyde Park, and, although he moved to an AHRC Community Residence on Cornwell Street in Rockville Centre at the age of 26 years, he returned home on weekends to be with his family and friends.
He always attended my installation for the New Hyde Park-Garden City Park School District, and was a very visible member of our community. The members of his house always came to the New Hyde Park Street Fair. He was proud of his community, was a member of Holy Spirit Church and when he was younger was a member of Cub Pack 489 at the New Hyde Park Road School where he enjoyed the friendship of a wonderful group of boys from the community.
He enjoyed all types of adventures and activities. However, when Jack was in his 20s, he began to gradually lose his vision. Within a short time, his sight was gone completely. He never bemoaned his situation in life and he did not let it stop him from following his dreams. Jack became involved with horseback riding through the Long Island Riding for the Handicapped Association (LIRHA). As Jack proudly rode his horse, we, his family, could see the happiness this new adventure brought him. Jack could not run on his own, but with the aid of his trusty horse, they were able to run and jump as one. For Jack this was a wonderful opportunity to learn yet another task in life and pursue yet another dream and make it a reality.
This great program, LIRHA, is hosting a Walk-A-Thon in Loving Memory of our Jack on Sept. 20 at 10:30 a.m. at Jones Beach to raise money for LIRHA so that they may continue to provide this exceptional riding program to other individuals like Jack through their motto “Horses are Big Medicine.” In this way, as other “Jacks” come along, they too will be able to enjoy this exceptional program.
Any help and support you can give in this endeavor would be greatly appreciated. We are enclosing some information which would tell you more about this wonderful program. For further information, please call 783-3059.
Jack and Eydie Garofalo
