Walk in the Park · DDI Fundraiser
Under the roof of Suffolk County Community College’s Suffolk Credit Union Arena, the Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI) held its annual Walk in the Park fundraiser — a celebration of hope, movement, and inclusion.
My favorite subjects to photograph are the ones that help people — moments when compassion and community come into focus. Whether it’s one person lending a hand or an event built around a higher purpose, the story is always uplifting.Under the roof of Suffolk County Community College’s Suffolk Credit Union Arena, the Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI) held its annual Walk in the Park fundraiser — a celebration of hope, movement, and inclusion.DDI serves more than 1,600 children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities each day, providing education, residential care, job training, transportation, and self-direction support across Long Island.Free from the threat of bad weather, families, friends, and walking teams circled the 200-meter track to the sound of laughter and DJ music. The event opened with the National Anthem and a ribbon-cutting by the Masters of Ceremony.Between laps, participants joined in games, crafts, raffles, and snacks — simple joys that carried deep meaning. Everywhere you looked, there were smiles, encouragement, and connection.
