Fundraiser For Camp Helen Keller To Be Held At Miller's Ale House In Commack

COMMACK, NY — "Vibes for Vision," a fundraiser for Camp Helen Keller is scheduled for Tuesday, July 1, at Miller's Ale House in Commack. The event is slated to run 5 to 11 p.m.

Joshua Bater and Gabriel Giraldo, a pair of Commack High School students, organized the event. Funds will benefit Camp Helen Keller on the LIU Post Campus in Greenvale. The camp runs for children who are blind or have low vision.

"Run by Helen Keller Services for the Blind (HKSB) on the Post Campus of LIU, the camp aims to improve self-esteem, self-confidence and socialization skills in children ages 4-15," Camp Helen Keller states on its website.

The camp's 3:1 camper-to-counselor ratio "ensures that campers receive a high level of personal attention as they engage in activities and make memories that will last a lifetime," according to the camp.

"It really is a great opportunity to do something like this for an organization that helps so many people," Bater told Patch. "Being able to be involved in giving back, especially to a cause that I know helps someone I care about, is amazing."

The fundraiser will feature raffle bags, live music, and more. Three bands, I Can't Explain, Keeping Jars and Various Cheese, will perform. Miller's will donate 20 percent of food sales to the camp.

Giraldo said being able to make a difference is all he wants to do.

"It's something personal that I would've loved to do for my mother to prove that she's no different than anyone else and that she deserves the same support," Giraldo said.

Billy Albitz, manager of Miller's Ale House in Commack, said he is grateful to work with Bater and Giraldo on the "amazing" fundraiser.

"These two gentlemen are great leaders and are valuable to our local community in Commack," Albitz said.