32 The QUEE NS Courier • FEBRUARY 6, 2014 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com brought to you by SCOTT BARON & ASSOCICATES, P.C. Attorneys & Counselors at Law 1-866-WAS-HURT (866) 927-4878 718.738.9800 star OF queens SCOTT BARON’S STAR OF QUEENS GREG VASICEK PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER THE PLAY4AUTISM FOUNDATION COMMUNITY SERVICE: Greg Vasicek is the president and founder of the Play4Autism Foundation, a registered nonprofit organization that helps children on the autism spectrum get active. BACKGROUND: Vasicek grew up in New Rochelle, and started playing professional ice hockey at 18 in England. After a 15-year career, Vasicek came back to the United States and decided to concentrate his efforts by pursuing hockey as an event promoter and coach. Vasinek’s success in this field led him to establish partnerships with several corporations, which eventually served as a platform for his vision, Play4Austism. Vasicek founded the organization in December of 2011 in Arizona. After returning to New York in October of 2012 he expanded the foundation. INSPIRATION: Vasicek has a nephew who is along the autism spectrum, who he cites as his inspiration in creating the Play4Austism Foundation. Along with his nephew, Vasicek finds inspiration in his future wife, Helena, who has helped him a lot with his work for the organization. GOALS: Vasicek has been able to help 20 to 25 kids in the Middle Village area, as well as kids in other areas outside Queens, like Arizona and Utah. Vasicek’s goal for his organization is to increase awareness of autism and to help children get the attention they need to develop social and recreational skills, while offering these services to parents at a minimal cost. Play4Austim also partnered with Kidz into Action programs, which offer children the opportunity to improve their self esteem, leadership, social and communication skills. FAVORITE MEMORY: For Vasicek the most rewarding part of working with the kids and their families is just seeing them happy. “Just seeing a smile on a child’s face after tossing a football around for five minutes and the proud look and some tears of their mother or father is what it’s all about.” BIGGEST CHALLENGE: The biggest challenge Vasicek has faced is finding a permanent location for his organization and for the people who help him out. “I definitely hope to find a place in the coming year that we can call home,” he said. MEMORIALS BY PARKSIDE Your Expression, Our Creativity • Footstones • Inscriptions • Monuments • Restorations • Mausoleums • Pre-planning A monument is the opportunity to perpetuate your memories of an especially loved and revered family member or friend. Memorial art is our way of helping you to express that memory. The monument you select will be a personalized illustration of your tribute. SHOWROOMS: For Information or to Make an Appointment Call Our Monument Consultants want to learn about you and your family. With their vast experience helping families, they will create a highly personalized memorial or headstone that is a true reflection of a life well lived. Understanding your family will help us assist you in designing a lasting and unique tribute to your loved one. When you work with PARKSIDE to create your family memorial, you can expect the highest quality granite and superior craftsmanship. We stand behind our memorials with a perpetual warranty that guarantees that your family’s memorial will last into the future. There is both sorrow and joy experienced while selecting a monument. You will experience sadness as fond memories emerge and happiness in being able to commemorate a life of blessing and hope. 98-60 Queens Boulevard Rego Park, New York 11374 2576 Flatbush Avenue Brooklyn, New York 11234 www.memorialsbyparkside.com 718-896-9100 Full Service Web Design Free Consultation �� Are you happy with your current turn around time for updates? �� We specialize in doing updates quickly! �� Are you still running your business without a website? �� Economical solutions to meet your needs 516-541-3616 888-656-6141 www.NextWave-Solutions.com
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