By Mark Hallum
Volunteers from painters union District Council 9 and IUPAT Painters & Allied Trades were in Bayside on Earth Day, April 22, to add a much-needed fresh coat of paint to Tourette Association of America’s headquarters.
Businesses from the surrounding areas donated paint and supplies to the April 22 effort to deck the new center in a shade of teal, including Sol Rubin Painting in Famingdale, K.P. Painting of Ronkonkoma and Finishing Trade Institute based in Philadelphia.
“The Tourette Association of America is absolutely thrilled by this generous Earth Day gesture from Bayside’s DC 9 volunteers and Sol Rubin Painting in Farmingdale,” Miller said. “Our TAA resources are dedicated almost exclusively to helping children and families who are coping with tics and Tourette disorders, making this community support from neighbors and TAA supporters like John Shepard, Larry Rubin and the DC 9 volunteers particularly meaningful. Their support helps support our mission and uplifts our employees in the place where they do their best work.”
DC9 is an organization which represents painters and people working in wall covering, architectural metal and glass work, structural steel and bridge painting, drywall finishing, window filming, metal polishing and sign and display painting.
According to DC 9 Business Agent John Shepard, many of the volunteers in the project come from Bayside and neighboring communities.
“Our team is grateful for the opportunity to be able to support TAA and conduct our work in Bayside, a town where many of us grew up and look forward to making this an annual tradition,” Shepard said. “We are here for Bayside families and proud to be a part of this tight-knit community.”
The TAA controls a network of 32 chapters and support groups in the United States and has been in operation since 1972.
Reach reporter Mark Hallum by e-mail at mhall
