Red Carpet talent show highlights all abilities in Oceanside

Posted Thursday, November 28, 2019 9:00 am

Members of the Special Advocacy Coalition performed “This Land is My Land” as the closing song at the second annual Red Carpet Event on Nov. 17.

Christina Daly/Herald

A performance of Billy Joel’s “My Life” by Ashley Gazes and Eddie Becker got the crowd moving.

Christina Daly/Herald

“I have a haunted air conditioner … it’s been giving everyone the chills!” Hope Lefstein, of Puns on Posters, had the entire audience laughing. She dedicated the performance to her late parents, whose anniversary would have been that day, Nov. 17.

Christina Daly/Herald

Justin Bashe rocked the audience with his guitar.

Christina Daly/Herald

By Briana Bonfiglio

The Special Advocacy Coalition hosted its second annual Red Carpet Event at the Friedberg JCC in Oceanside on Nov. 17. The event raised about $1,200 for the group and its scholarship fund.

SPEAC is a community group for differently-abled adults to discuss everyday issues and learn to become self-advocates. Group members shared their musical, comedic and artistic talents while raising money for a good cause.

“The planning was successful this year,” said Ashley Gazes, founder and president of SPEAC. “We support all Nassau county self-advocates, and we help them empower them.”

The annual talent show raised money for the club and its scholarship and transportation fund, which sends those with special needs to the annual Self-Advocacy Association of New York Long Island Regional Conference.

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Red Carpet talent show highlights all abilities in Oceanside

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