The Bethlehem Town Park was not only filled with the colors and brisk wind of fall on Saturday, Oct. 10, but also dozens of people who turned out for the third annual Jonathan Carey Foundation Walk.
Participants who completed a loop around and through the park also raised money for the foundation, which was founded by the parents of Jonathan Carey, an autistic child who died while in the care of state workers in 2004. Since then, Michael and Lisa Carey have worked to help pass six pieces of legislation that improve protections for disabled adults and children and make state-run institutions more transparent.
But the benefits of Saturday’s walk will extend beyond those continuing legislative goals, said Michael Carey. The foundation will pass along funds to a number of other organizations that fight childhood hunger, human sex trafficking and the growing pool of orphans in America and elsewhere.
We really want to make a public stand for children, said Carey. `The more people that get involved today, or on an ongoing basis, the bigger the impact.`
Among those who gathered at the park were local politicians and candidates for the upcoming election. Bethlehem Supervisor Jack Cunningham said he was proud to have the event held in the town park, and praised those who came out to show their support.
`Unfortunately, it took Jonathan’s passing to bring about this level of attention,` he said. `Your presence here is a great testament to his legacy.`
The Careys had hoped that legacy would include a law that would have increased the penalty for neglecting the disabled to a felony offense. Gov. David Paterson vetoed the bill after it passed through both the assembly and senate, saying that the language needed more clarity.
`I am still really in shock and disbelief he would have done this,` Carey said.
Assemblyman Tim Gordon, I-Bethlehem, said his office is dedicated to the effort to reverse Paterson’s decision and get the legislation passed. He said he has worked with the foundation before and will continue to do so.
`What they’ve been doing is really quite amazing, and working together we’ve been able to pass some significant legislation,` Gordon said.
The next legislative goal for the foundation will be to approach the issue of caregivers taking excessive overtime. Carey said that some of Jonathan’s caregivers worked hundreds of hours over the course of a few weeks, limiting their ability to provide proper care.
`This shouldn’t have been an issue, it should have been dealt with years and years ago,` he said. `We don’t want any other children or adults to lose their lives prematurely like Jonathan.`
Besides continuing his efforts to have new legislation passed, Carey said he would soon be embarking on a project to add a children’s and adult’s shoes and clothing donation structure on the foundation’s headquarters property at 90 Delaware Ave. in Delmar.
Following the walk, lunch and entertainment was provided and a raffle was held for gift certificates and items donated by local businesses.
Carey encouraged those who want to help vulnerable children to contact the foundation, which can either provide information about reputable charities or service opportunities or distribute donations to specific causes. He emphasized that there is an opportunity to do good work no matter what your goal might be.
The foundation is on the Internet at www.jonathancareyfoundation.org.“
