RVC Blue Speaks to honor local businessman at April 13 gala for autism support and awareness

In recognition of his community leadership and generosity, RVC Blue Speaks, the largest Long Island-based autism charity, will honor local business and community leader Butch Yamali at its third annual gala on April 13.

Since its inception in 2017, the Rockville Centre-based organization has raised more than $150,000 for autism support and awareness. For the past two years, Yamali, president of the Dover Group, has generously donated the cost of the RVC Blue Speaks Gala at his venue, the Coral House.

“On behalf of the RVC Blue Speaks Board of Directors, we very grateful to Mr. Yamali for his heartfelt generosity in support of our organization,” said Anthony Cancellieri, board co-chairman. “Over the past three years . . . Rockville Centre and the surrounding communities have generously opened their hearts and wallets to support our amazing cause. We are grateful for their continued support and to our honoree for lending his name and reputation to the success of our third annual gala.”

Cancellieri and his wife, Mary Lou, of Rockville Centre, founded RVC Blue Speaks in 2016 when their grandson, Louis, was diagnosed with autism at age 2. The group’s mission is to promote awareness and acceptance of those affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder so that their quality of life is enhanced and their potential is fulfilled; to raise funding for genetic research, support programs, and community initiatives that directly serve families in need on Long Island; and to change the conversation about autism into action and progress.

To date, the group has supported autism awareness group Autism Speaks and the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. It has also awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to students at the Bridges to Adelphi program at Adelphi University, which allows students on the autism spectrum to more easily transition into university life and then, upon graduation, the workforce. Last year, RVC Blue Speaks partnered with Jennie E. Hewitt Elementary School in Rockville Centre on a successful “Perfect Fit” Autism awareness campaign.

In 1976, Yamali founded the Dover Group, which comprises catering halls, restaurants and businesses, including the recently acquired Milleridge Inn in Jericho, the Coral House in Baldwin, Peter’s Clam Bar in Island Park and the Sands on Lido Beach, among others. He is past president of the Merrick Board of Education and currently serves on the Board of Directors of South Nassau Communities Hospital’s Board of Directors. A father of three, he lives in Merrick with his wife, Linda.

For more information about RVC Blue Speaks, or to reserve your ticket for the upcoming gala, visit www.rvcbluespeaks.org.