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Community Corner

Lincoln Avenue Grad to Hold Hope for Autism Yoga Fundraiser

One of the Erin Halliday-Duffy scholarship winners, Kiera Golon, holding benefit on August 6.

On August 6, the Hope for Autism Yoga Day will be held in Sayville at 116 Green Avenue. The outdoor yoga event is made possible by a recent Lincoln Avenue graduate named Kiera Golon who was awarded one of the annual Erin Halliday-Duffy scholarships.

Kiera was chosen to receive the scholarship by Erin’s parents, who pick the winners based on ideas that remind them of Erin. “The scholarship started to honor the memory of Mrs. Duffy who was a teacher at Lincoln Avenue Elementary School,” Kiera said. “Mrs. Duffy’s parents wanted to do something for the kids of Lincoln Avenue. The money comes from a bake sale run by the Sayville Middle School students and put into the Halliday Foundation. Five of 25 students were chosen by writing an idea that Mrs. Duffy liked to do.”

Three classes will be held by Sky Education (Spectrum Kids yoga) instructor Laura Gallagher. At 9:30 a.m., the adult class will take place, followed by the children’s class at 10:30 a.m. and the family class at 11:30 a.m. Each class will be approximately 45 minutes. The suggested donation is $5 for children under 12 and $10 for adults. Bring a yoga mat or towel.

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Kiera got the idea for yoga day when she took a class with Laura. “I did yoga with Laura Gallagher in the fall of 2010,” Kiera said. “When I won the scholarship, I went to speak with her and she helped me put it all together.”

Why did Kiera chose autism as her cause? “I decided to make the fundraiser to benefit autism because I know many children who have autism today,” she said. “I also did it because I know there is not a lot research being done for autism.”

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The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with all proceeds benefiting the Land and Sea Sports Club, a non-profit organization that supports developmentally disabled and autistic individuals. “I feel excited and cannot wait for it to happen,” Kiera said. “I also feel good about myself that I am helping others.”

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