21 & Change Celebrates First Year Empowering The “People with Developmental Disabilities”
Pictured: Paige Byrnes, John Greene, Eric Polins, Michelle Richards, Sunny Alexander, John Bodor, Yani Bodor, Suzie Huening, and Sean Coniglio.
TAMPA, Fla. (July 18, 2019) – Celebrating their first year as an established Florida based 501 (c)(3) public nonprofit organization, 21 & Change, Inc. recently hosted their First Anniversary and Sponsor Appreciation Luncheon at the Columbia Restaurant in Historic Ybor City.
The luncheon focused on expanding the non-profit’s mission, which promotes inclusion, education, and human and civil rights for children and adults with developmental disabilities ranging from Down syndrome to autism. In addition, 21 & Change leadership recognized many volunteers who have made a significant impact on the organization throughout the year.
The luncheon’s guest speaker was Representative Jackie Toledo (FL-60) who was honored for her ongoing efforts to support the organization’s mission. Sunny Alexander, a realtor with Tomlin St Cyr Real Estate Services and Michelle Richards, Founder of Tampa Movement Lab received the Ambassador for Change Award for their extraordinary efforts and commitment to the Champions for Change Challenge event hosted in early March 2019.
“I am at a loss for words to describe how I feel. I can only say how honored I am to receive 21 & Change’s Ambassador for Change Award. 21 & Change is an organization that values all human lives as they strive to end Down syndrome ‘syndrome’ and their members extend their respect and value to their volunteers. John and Yani’s leadership has created an organization that is an inspiration for us all. I am even more committed to supporting 21 & Change and I am excited to see how we can impact our community and beyond,” said Sunny Alexander.
John Greene and Paige Byrnes also received the Ambassador for Change Award for hosting the highly successful Linksters Tap Room Annual Golf Tournament fundraiser, which raised over $14,700 to support 21 & Change’s mission. In addition, 21 & Change was fortunate enough to receive a unique and beautiful donation from Suzie Huening, who contributed the painting entitled “The 21 Women Beyond the Wave,” which will be auctioned off at an upcoming event. The luncheon concluded with the presentation of the 2019 Founders Award, which was given to HCP Associates for their unwavering belief and support in the organization’s mission. HCP donated all their branding, marketing, public relations, and digital services over the past year.
Paige Byrnes commented saying, “Supporting 21 & Change is our way of making the world a better place for our daughter Diana. We’re grateful for people like John and Yani Bodor who have the knowledge and willingness to fight for children with Down Syndrome like, Diana. This is our way of helping parents, who may have recently received a diagnosis, fight their way out of the darkness. This is our way of saving pregnancies that may be terminated as a result of the fear. This is a way for us to show the world how amazing our daughter is!”
21 & Change was recently nominated for the Hillsborough County Alliance, Outstanding Community Service award taking place at the 29th Annual Americans with Disabilities Awards Ceremony on July 26 in downtown Tampa.
21 & Change Inc. is dedicated to ending the Down syndrome ‘syndrome’ through advocacy, support, and niche services in the Greater Tampa Bay-St. Petersburg area and beyond. Their mission emphasizes the notion that all human lives have value and that everyone should have the opportunity to discover their full potential.
For more information, please visit www.21andchange.org or e-mail info@21andchange.org today.
