Pop.Earth hosted its “Cocktails for Autism” event on Tuesday, April 26 at Primo Piatto in Huntington.
Founder Debbie Stone tapped two Pop.Earth supporters, Rhonda Klch of Equity First Consultants and former event co-host Autumn Behm, to pull off an evening of cocktails to support those with autism and special needs. Event sponsors included Dr. Joshua Bratt DMD, the Shear family, E.J. Autism Foundation, and the Pollard family.
Pop.Earth announced that it will open its own center for autism and special needs after a decade of service to Huntington Station. Grant Havasy of Blue & Gold Builders has assisted them in securing an appropriate space at 1046 New York Ave. in Huntington Station, which will have a soft open in August.
In addition to its ongoing health- and wellness-based programs, Pop.Earth is launching “Cultivate,” a vocational program to help those with special needs secure work in restaurants, which was documented by News12 and piloted last summer with Executive Chef David Buico of Mercato Cucina and Arcobaleno Pasta. Clark Gillies Foundation board members Paul Paternoster and Kris Amplo announced their foundation has purchased the naming rights to the kitchen in Clark’s memory with a $10,000 donation.
Also in attendance was Rich “Big Daddy” Salgado and his event partner Anzhelika Steen-Olsen who announced Pop.Earth as the main beneficiary of this year’s Big Daddy Golf Tournament.
“It’s a huge vote of confidence from the Clark Gillies Foundation and the Big Daddy Golf Tournament for us as we take this long-awaited step forward into our own space. We are grateful and thankful for everyone’s support,” said Pop.Earth founder Deb Stone.
For more about Pop.Earth and how you can give to the new center, please visit popearth.org.
For more scene & seen event photos visit longislandpress.com/category/scene-seen.
Sign up for Long Island Press’ email newsletters here. Sign up for home delivery of Long Island Press here. Sign up for discounts by becoming a Long Island Press community partner here.
