Our Bureau
New York, NY
Gift of Life USA, non-profit special needs organization, founded by Paresh, Flora and Dr Harshil Parekh, aims at helping the differently-abled (Specially-abled – Physically & Mentally challenged) in the areas of health, education and social awareness. The organization is a strong advocate for special needs, deeply- focused and aimed at special needs individual journeys from childhood through adolescence, supporting as many differently-abled individuals as possible – to be self-reliant with growing acceptance of the community, friends, and families.
The organization will be celebrating its 10th milestone Gala this year on April 20 at Huntington Hilton. According to a press release, “Our Annual FundRaising Gala happens every year around April where we showcase differently abled individual talents’ at our Gala and you can see the list has several distinguished and inspiring differently-abled speakers, performers and beneficiaries. Our theme this year is advocating, showcasing and benefiting Individuals living with Parkinson’s and OCD and our speakers are living with these conditions. We have advocated and supported various disorders and aim at helping both physically and mentally challenged, our work so far has been heavily with mental health due to the growing demand and limited resources.”
Several accomplished, inspiring and motivating differently- abled speakers and performers have showcased their talent at the Gift of Life Gala over years:
Michelle Hammer – Entrepreneur (Living with Schizophrenia)
Kerry Magro – Speaker, author & TV Show Host (Living with Autism)
Amy Palmiero Winters – Athlete with 14 World and 3 Guinness Book Records (Amputee)
Matias Ferreira – Police Office with Active Patrol (Double Amputee)
Rachel Barcellona – Actress, Singer, Model (Living with Autism, Asperger’s, Dyspraxia & Epilepsy)
John Cronin – Entrepreneur of John’s Crazy Socks (Living with Down Syndrome)
Brittany Schiavone – Entrepreneur of Brittany’s Baskets Of Hope (Living with Down Syndrome)
Autumn Kinkade – Model and Speaker (Living with Cerebral Palsy)
Ketrina Hazell – Ms. Wheelchair NY 2018 (Living with Cerebral Palsy)
Arvindh Senthilvelan -Singer and Musician (Living with Autism)
FREE Drum & Bugle Corps (A Special Needs Band)
Deepmala Academy – Visually Impaired Singers and Dancers from India
Jessica Gallone – Owner of Rock-n-Roll (Dance academy for Autism Spectrum, Down’s Syndrome, and other special needs)
Andrea Matteo – Zumba Dancer (Down Syndrome)
Kool Spektrum – Band (Autism Spectrum)
With the Mission to Generate Efficient Resources to Support the Specially-Abled through Advocacy & Education, the organization conducts various programs and activities in benefit of the differently abled community namely “Save a Child” Support, “We are Special” Talent & Skill Recognition, “Health & Education”, “Awareness” and many more.
The organization conducts and supports various programs through the year comprising mental health seminars, free special needs summer camp, special needs student scholarships, special needs talent promotion, FundRaising Gala, partnering with local school districts for special needs students, encouraging and supporting special needs entrepreneurs and business.
Since inception, several special needs adults and children benefited directly with their sponsorships and support. Social awareness for special needs individuals was raised across multiple organizations. Amongst the beneficiaries were visually impaired students and adults, special needs girls of long island school district with significant special needs population and activities, special needs – Down syndrome entrepreneurs, scholarship for autistic students, talent promotion for various autistic, Down syndrome, epilepsy and many more.
As a growing organization, currently the majority of the funding comes from corporate and individual sponsors within the network. The focus now has been helping several physically and mentally challenged individuals in the areas of health, education and talent promotion. Our exclusive Gala showcases the talent of the differently abled.
The Gift of Life USA
Inspired by the family condition of borderline bi-polar stigma and the stigma faced with limited resources and help, the organization decided to help the mentally challenged families in navigating the stigma.
Highlights of organization programs and activities:
• On-going Annual Scholarship for autistic / special needs college going students
• Special Needs Students Summer Camp Sponsorship
• Mental Health Seminars & Conference
• Special Needs Fairs – Bringing together various special needs resources under one umbrella
• Special Needs Talent Promotion Show
• Save A Child (wheelchair requests, visually impaired operations, etc.)
• Advocacy Programs
• Disabled Veteran projects
• Service Dog Project
• Disabled Homeless Veterans – Various Needs including Meals & Clothing
• Annual Gala
• Annual Kids Essay Competition
Your donation at Gift of Life USA could make a difference in the lives of several inspired differently abled individuals that have been showcased through our double-digit year journey. For additional information visit its website.
