The Developmental Disabilities Institute Receives Surprise Donation from Bob’s Discount Furniture

The Developmental Disabilities Institute Receives Surprise Donation from Bob’s Discount Furniture

Smithtown, NY – August 3, 2009 – The Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI), Long Island’s leading service provider for children and adults with autism, received a $1,000 donation from Bob’s Discount Furniture.  A part of Bob’s Random Acts of Kindness Program.  The donation was given to DDI’s Young Autism Program (YAP) in a surprise visit from the store.

The new Bob's Discount Furniture Community Outreach Van surprised YAP employees with a check to support the program.  For preschool children with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), YAP offers a unique one-on-one intensive behavioral based education which focuses on general learning, communication and socialization.   

“We are extremely honored to not only receive this gift from Bob’s Discount Furniture, but to be nominated by the community,” stated DDI Executive Director John Lessard.  “With its donation, Bob's Discount Furniture is helping us to provide a safe, nurturing space for students with autism and other developmental disabilities so that they can learn and grow in the best possible environment.”

The fast-growing furniture retailer with 33 stores located throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island, Bob's Discount Furniture has built strong brand awareness and customer loyalty through its unique shopping environment, customer service commitment and everyday low prices. Through the Bob's Discount Furniture Charitable Foundation and its many charitable contributions and sponsorships, Bob's Discount Furniture employees support hundreds of nonprofit organizations.   Every month, Bob’s Discount Furniture randomly selects one nonprofit that has been nominated by the community within the seven states Bob’s has locations in to win a $1,000 check from the Bob’s Discount Furniture Outreach Team.

“Autism is an increasingly serious issue faced by more and more families every day, and DDI is a vital source of support for children and adults in our community,” said Bob Kaufman, president, Bob's Discount Furniture. “Our outreach van has enabled us to work with wonderful nonprofit groups like DDI to help Long Island children with special needs enjoy happier lives.”

About DDI
DDI is a not-for-profit agency headquartered in Smithtown, NY, with more than 30 locations throughout Suffolk and Nassau Counties.  Serving nearly 1,000 children and adults with a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), DDI is the largest provider of services for individuals with autism on Long Island.  It provides educational, vocational, and residential programs, as well as medical and dental services for over 1,500 children and adults with autism or other developmental disabilities.  DDI also operates family-centered preschool programs for both children with disabilities as well as typically developing students.  

DDI was founded in 1961 by a group of parents to address the special educational and therapeutic needs of their children with Autism or other developmental disabilities.  DDI is a member agency of the United Way.  For more information about DDI, visit www.ddiinfo.org.

Editor’s Note:  photo available at http://hldnow.com/Pr/page/DDIDonationFromBob'sFurniture.asp.