(L. to r.); QSAC Community Relations Officer Perry Brown, District Governor Gloria Askew, President Paul Vallone, and 1st Vice President Donald Frain.The Bayside-Whitestone Lions Club is marking the end of summer and the start of another school year by donating much needed school supplies to students of the QSAC School in Whitestone.

“We’ve collected a lot of supplies to help ensure every child is equipped with the tools they need to succeed,” said President Paul Vallone.

QSAC, or Quality Services for the Autism Community is one of the first institutions to provide care and services solely for people diagnosed with Autism. Significant cutbacks in state and federal aid have put a financial strain on the unique institution, but with nearly 1 in every 110 people diagnosed with Autism, “demand for our services has been higher than ever,” said QSAC Community Relations Officer, Perry J. Brown.

While QSAC has vowed to never turn anyone away, school supplies have come up in short supply. 

To help ensure the kids have what they needed to start the school year, the Lions club members considered it a duty by donating four bristling boxes stuffed with notebooks,, crayons, glue sticks, pens and pencils - all part of a month-long “Back To School Drive” to make sure the kids have what they needed to start the school year.

“It’s really amazing what we can do when we work together,” said Third Vice-President Adam Lombardi while
packing the donated school supplies into cardboard boxes.

The Lions Club is planning several community service projects throughout the year and will continue to accept donations of school supplies. The October 5th Meeting will be a night to celebrate and honor the 111th and 109th Precincts with a special recognition to Queens District Attorney Richard Brown. The awards celebration will be held at the Adria Hotel, located at 221-17 Northern Boulevard from 7-9pm.

The Bayside-Whitestone Lions meet the first Wednesday of the month at Vallone & Vallone LLP law office located at 25-59 Francis Lewis Blvd.