The Other Lucy Beach Grille
Atlantic County will celebrate October as Disability Awareness Month with the presentation of the 34th annual Donald J. Sykes Award to two county residents in recognition of their outstanding achievements and contributions to our community Tuesday, Oct.17.
Each year honorees are nominated by area organizations, family or friends for their positive attitudes, personal accomplishments and their success in enriching the lives of others. The awards presentation is a cooperative effort of the Atlantic County Division of Intergenerational Services and the Atlantic County Disability Advisory Board.
These honorees encourage us to appreciate our similarities as well as our differences, Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson said. We applaud their achievements and remarkable abilities to meet and overcome life's challenges. They are shining examples for us all.
Established by the county in 1989, the ceremony was later named in memory of Donald J. Sykes, a longtime community advocate and former chairman of the county's Disabled Citizens Advisory Board.
This year's honorees include Andrew Scheffey of Margate and Mike Bersani of Linwood.
Andrew Drew Scheffey, 16, of Margate
One of the first employees of The Other Lucy Beach Grille where he is said to be great with customers and on the register. He was the first employee to receive training through The Helping Others Pursue Empowerment program created by Lucy Paccione, owner of The Other Lucy Beach Grille, a local non-profit dedicated to making a difference for individuals with learning disabilities.
Mike Bersani of Linwood
A 2014 Mainland Regional High School graduate who volunteered with Mainland's 18 to 21 Program, Bersani cleared tables at the Linwood Care Center and shelved books at the Linwood Library. He has also volunteered at the ARC of Atlantic County Thrift Store and has assisted his parents with the care of two adult brothers with disabilities. He is a current member of ASPEN, NJ (Autism Spectrum Education Network) and enjoys its social outings.
For more information about the Donald J. Sykes Awards ceremony, contact 609-645-7700, ext. 4386. (TTY, please use 711).
For information on disability services, contact the Atlantic County Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) at 1-888-426-9243.
