The Lord & Taylor store in Garden City recently celebrated April as Autism Awareness Month in their own unique way. Alongside the Family Center for Autism and stylists from Elizabeth Arden and Bobbi Brown, Lord & Taylor was able to provide four autistic girls with free makeovers and helped some local shoppers become more fabulously aware.
Ariana Grieco, Alexa Krevatas, Perri Silverstein and Hannah Greenberg are all affiliated with the Family Center for Autism and were chosen to get free makeovers. Each girl got their makeup and hair specially done by stylists and were able to share their experiences with one another. Grieco’s mother, Kathy, said that both her and her daughter were in awe with how welcoming Lord & Taylor employees sponsoring the event were.
“I think this is amazing,” said Kathy Grieco. “This is my first time here and it feels like the mall at Christmas time. They have so many good incentives.”
Similarly, Krevatas and her mother, Inga, were also very excited to partake in the opportunity, as they have been affiliated with the Family Center for Autism for quite a while.
“Alexa is fabulously aware,” said Inga Krevatas. “She loves to participate. The Family Center for Autism is our second home. That is a place where they can be themselves.”
Greenberg’s mother, Amy, is also the president of North Shore Autism Circle and believes that the event was very important not just to boost the girl’s moods but also to spread awareness.
“We’re raising money for autism. One out of 68 children have autism, so it’s very important that we show our support at Lord & Taylor today,” said Amy Greenberg.
Moms and teens alike were also gushing over the hospitality received by the stylists from Bobbi Brown and Elizabeth Arden. Elizabeth Arden general manager Catherine Pray said this is the company’s second time participating in this event.
“We have four locations in Long Island so any time that we have events like this with the community we like to be present and help out wherever we can,” said Pray. “We’re not affiliated with this particular charity but we hope to do more work with them in the future.”
All girls had different plans upon receiving their makeovers, which included photo shoots and dinners, but for Silverstein the event was more about spreading awareness.
“I’m here to help support the Family Center for Autism during this event with Lord & Taylor,” said Silverstein. “I’m excited to just be here and help out. I haven’t had a makeover in a while, though, so it’s a treat.”
