Kennedy Child Study Center Celebrates Peter Gorham & Elizabeth Schmeelk
Founded by Rose and Joseph Kennedy in 1958 in memory of their son, Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., the Center, located in Manhattan and the Bronx, has been providing outstanding services to preschool children with developmental disabilities.
Funded in part by the archdiocese, government money and private donations, the Kennedy Child Study Center (KCSC) honored Peter Gorham, executive director of the Kennedy Center and Elizabeth Schmeelk, philanthropist. Over 500 attendees gave a standing ovation to several young graduates of KCSC who sang and swayed to music and to the performance of Daniel Trush, a young man who suffered a brain aneurysm at the age of 12, recovered and now at the age of 27 helps others compose and sing. Some of his lilting lyrics were:
For the people that helped me heal
For their love and keeping it real
Who know when I’m good or need to rest
Whose care and affection are the best.
Marty Keating, a member of the Board of Directors, organized the benefit. His Eminence Edward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop Emeritus of New York gave the awards; and Monsignor Sullivan gave his unwavering support. Magee Hickey, a Channel 11 reporter, and daughter of the late Board Chair, Lawrence Hickey, was a fabulous Emcee. #
