The 17th annual ARI Walk for Independence took place on April 30 at Cove Island Park in Stamford. More than 300 participants walked in support of programs and services for nearly 100 individuals with developmental disabilities. This year Barbara Aronica Buck and Peter Buck along with the Russo Family were honored for their support of ARI over many years.
Members from the ARI Board and ARI President and CEO Susanne Kuligowski and Board Chair Gimbels Pon, Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons and State Representatives Matt Blumenthal and Corey Paris were present at the event. The program warm-up was led by Dance With El owner Eleanor Casale and her team and the start of the walk was led by the Stamford Police with more than 300 participants. The event exceeded all expectations, raising over $46,000 to support ARI programs.
“Despite the weather, not only did this year”™s event exceed all of our goals, it was the most successful Walk to date. It was great to be together walking in support of the individuals we serve,” said Kuligowski.
ARI thanks the corporations, local businesses and families that joined as sponsors of the Walk, including Corporate Sponsors for this event: FD Rich, The Umbrella Club, The Kiwanis Club of Stamford, Eversource, Workers”™ Compensation Trust, ShopRite, Stamford Hospital, Northeast Generator, The Community Thrift Shop and Connecticut Pharmacy, C
armody Torrance Sandak Hennessey LLP, First County Bank, Connecticare, J&A Mechanical Servi
ce, Sound Engineering Associates, NFP, Sovereign Financial Group, Bob”™s Discount Furniture, Aquarion Water Company, MBA Graphics, Dance With El, Stew Leonard”™s
, ACME, Liz Sue Bagels, Trader Joe”™s, Pepperidge Farm, Pepsi and Subway. Special thanks were extended to John Martin and Chris Martin for photographing the event.
ARI provides jobs, homes and services for nearly 100 adults with developmental disabilities in Stamford.
