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More 75 attendees participated in the half-mile walk on paths near the Hudson River. Another 25 members volunteered in the area as the crowd made its way toward a balloon-decorated tree before turning back.
“It’s a positive reinforcement atmosphere here, and everyone needs that,” said Michael Deming, an eighth-grade teacher in Rockland County. He sang in the band performing for the day.
"We see the community as well as those living with disabilities come out for our biggest annual fundraiser," said Dr. Bruce Meyer, an optometrist in Oradell who is on the board of trustees for J-ADD.
Meyer joined Deming in the band on saxophone.
J-ADD provides respite services, helps those with disabilities find jobs and offers group and supportive housing, throughout New Jersey.
"If you build them up and tell them what’s possible and you tell them - it's a out progress not perfection - they respond to that," Derning said. "I see that in my little bit of exposure with the developmentally disabled population.”
MORE INFO: http://www.j-add.org
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