The following contribution comes from the Giambalvo family, Esther and her husband Lou. Esther is a Sales Associate with our Fonville Morisey Preston office. Together this family has raised awareness for Down Syndrome in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and surrounding areas through their Annual Triangle Down Syndrome Network Charity Golf Tournament slated for this Saturday, October 6th at The Preserve at Jordan Lake in Chapel Hill. This is their story.
Esther Giambalvo (center in purple) with her daughter, Gianna and several volunteers.
A Cary family’s dream started 7 years ago for their daughter Gianna who inspired the families calling. Lou and Esther Giambalvo coordinate an annual charity golf tournament raising money to develop an independent living community, called HopeSpring Village for people with special needs.
OUR CAUSE, we believe our residents’ lives have potential and promise. Where they live should too.
OUR VISION, HopeSpring Village will be an extraordinary residential community in the Triangle area of North Carolina giving adults with special needs a place to live fully, safely, and among friends.
OUR MISSION, developed to meet the varied needs of men and women with cognitive or developmental challenges, HopeSpring Village promises a supportive environment that is fun, positive, full of enriching activities, and feels like home. Focused on nurturing personal independence in a vibrant community setting, HopeSpring Village will offer housing, social and spiritual programs, vocational training, and adaptive technologies that bolster confidence, develop life skills, and provide opportunities for employment.
OUR CALL, a dream like this will require the passionate involvement of many people’s time and resources, as well as the support of local health care, academic, and government leaders. The growing success of the annual TDSN Golf Tournament and support from local businesses is encouraging evidence that the community has the desire to invest in the development of an independent living community where young adults with disabilities can realize their dreams and full potential.
Join us in creating an environment where those whom we love can live, learn, and serve. If you are interested in making a donation or getting involved, please contact Lou or Esther Giambalvo at loug@triangledownsyndrome.org.
Tee times are booked and we have plenty of volunteers but spectators are welcome to join us tomorrow for our annual golf tournament too! Festivities kick off at 9am. Get your favorite golf hat, a pair of sunglasses and walk amongst the gallery cheering on the players. We hope to see you there!
Images courtesy of Lou and Esther Giambalvo. Bottom image: Lou and his daughter, Gianna.
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I have met Esther & Lou Giambalvo, they are passionate and caring parents working hard to assure children with special needs will have a home and security for their futures in the Triangle. Good luck today, I plan on stopping in for the silent auction and drive a golf cart if they let me :O).
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