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The Theresa Foundation

Let The Good Times Roll

At 16TH Annual Awards Dinner

 

Foundation Honors NYS Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg & Stephen W. Dale, Esq. for Outstanding Contribution to Persons with Special Needs

 

The Officers and Directors of the Theresa Alessandra Russo Foundation are pleased to announce that the 16th Annual Theresa Awards Dinner, Let The Good Times Roll, will take place on Friday, April 30, 2010 beginning at 7:30 p.m., at the Bridgeview Yacht Club, Island Park, New York.

The 2010 honorees for outstanding contribution to persons with special needs are New York State Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg and Stephen W. Dale, Esq., a celebrated disability rights advocate serving the disability community through activism, advocacy and education.

2010 Theresa Awards Honorees

New York State Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg - Ever since his election to the State Assembly in 1989, Harvey (as he's know to his constituents) has distinguished himself as a staunch advocate for people with disabilities. As a former lifeguard, police officer, school teacher, administrator and City Council Member in the City of Long Beach, and now as Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore of the State Assembly, Harvey has dedicated himself to removing barriers, improving access, and enhancing the quality of life for people with physical and mental challenges. He has secured hundreds of thousands of dollars for agencies and organizations that work with and provide services to adults and children with physical and mental disabilities, and has received numerous awards and honors from many organizations and institutions for his tireless work on behalf of the special needs community. He created the Ricky Awards to recognize the tireless contributions of outstanding medical professionals and direct caregivers who work with children and adults with mental and physical disabilities. This meaningful award, which was named after Harvey and Ellen Weisenberg's own special child, is a symbol of the gratitude of those who cannot always speak for themselves. Harvey holds degrees from New York University, Hofstra University and C.W. Post University. He and his wife, Ellen, have five children and six grandchildren, and reside in Long Beach, New York.

Stephen W. Dale, Esq. - Steve Dale, founder of his law firm, the Dale Law Firm, P.C. in Walnut Creek, California, is dedicated to providing quality estate planning. Steve is also a celebrated disability rights advocate who spends much of his time attending disability rights activities, such as legislative hearings, and serving on boards and committees of several disability-rights organizations. He regularly teaches courses to financial professionals, attorneys and the general public on special needs trusts and trust administration with a special emphasis on achieving independence while maintaining essential government benefits. He also teaches continuing education courses accredited by the California Department of Insurance and the California State Bar on estate planning, special needs trusts, pooled trusts, and tax planning. Through his work, Steve has committed to serving the disability community through activism, advocacy and education. Recently, he has committed his time to the National Academy of Elder Law's (NAELA) Special Needs Law Section. Steve holds a J.D. from Armstrong Law School and an LL.M. in Taxation from Golden Gate University. He, and his wife Terri, reside in California.

Established in 1992, the Theresa Foundation grants funds for arts, music, dance and recreational programs to assist children with special needs to achieve the highest possible level of educational, artistic, emotional, physical and intellectual achievement possible. In September 2009 the Theresa Foundation celebrated the Opening of Theresa Academy for Performing Arts (TAPA). TAPA embraces all of the performing arts. Students are able to take classes in a safe, non-judgmental environment, and create and explore the arts at their own pace to the best of their abilities.

For reservations and general information regarding the SIXTEENTH ANNUAL THERESA AWARDS, please contact Susan S. Russo @ 516-432-0200 or visit our web site at www.TheresaFoundation.org.