CONEY ISLAND — The Guild for Exceptional Children (GEC), a nonprofit agency that assists developmentally disabled children and adults and a staple in the Bay Ridge community, hosted around 350 guests at its annual autumn anniversary gala at Gargiulo’s Restaurant on Sunday, Nov. 17.  

The organization honored five Bay Ridgians for their support and dedication to GEC’s mission of care: Gerard Bell and Billy Gardella, owners of Skinflints restaurant; Stephen Chiaino, Esq.; Joseph Mancino, owner of Peppino’s restaurant; and Ralph Succar of Empire State Development, LLC. 

“I do what I do for the community, and it’s so great to be involved,” Succar told the crowd. “I’ve been in Bay Ridge for 55 years, and it is truly one of the most wonderful communities in Brooklyn.”    

Guests in attendance included Fran Vella-Marrone, chair of the Kings County Conservative Party; members of the Salaam Club of New York; Bruno Frustaci, Verrazzano Rotary Club president; and former State Sen. Marty Golden. 

Joe Riley, the Guild’s executive director and CEO, told the Brooklyn Eagle that one of the goals of the event is to get people to become part of GEC’s “movement.”

“I want them to say that we are a special organization, we touched their hearts and they want to get involved with us and do even more,” Riley said. “This is also a fundraiser, and we are trying to raise some money.”

Riley pointed out that the fundraiser hoped to raise around $100,000 for GEC, which will help the organization fulfill its mission and expand its opportunities. “Our supporters have such big hearts and believe in what it is that we do,” Riley said.  

Vella-Marrone said she has been a supporter of the Guild for many years.

“I come to this event as often as I can, and I contribute when I can,” Vella-Marrone explained. “This is a model organization, and it’s something that should be replicated throughout the country.” 

Golden added, “Very few people can do the job that the Guild of Exceptional Children continues to do each and every year. I’m so proud to be here today and proud that they are part of our community.”

GEC began in 1958 as a community-led group of parents and friends of people with developmental disabilities and grew outward to support children and adults alike with group homes, programming and other offerings. 

Its mission statement is “to help children and adults with developmental disabilities lead dignified and satisfying lives and reach their fullest potential all while assisting families in every step of their journey.”