Eden II, the nonprofit that serves people with autism and their families from its headquarters at 15 Beach Street in Stapleton, is marking 50 years. Founded in 1976, it will celebrate with a 50th Anniversary Gala on Friday, Nov. 6, that also honors Dr. Joanne Gerenser on her retirement after 50 years of service to the organization. RSVPs are due Saturday, Oct. 24.

The gala

The evening starts at 7 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, 1100 South Avenue, Staten Island, with dinner, dancing, raffles and a live auction. Reservations and sponsorship information are on Eden II's gala page, and the organization takes questions at 718-664-4105.

Honoring Dr. Gerenser

Dr. Gerenser, who is listed as Eden II's executive director, has spent five decades with the organization. Eden II held an earlier celebration of her retirement on Sept. 18 at 1150 South Avenue.

What Eden II does

Eden II provides programs for children and adults with autism and support for their families on Staten Island. Its website now carries 50th-anniversary branding. In an Oct. 9 Clinical Corner post, the organization looked back on a year of growth at Little Miracles, its preschool program.

Also in Stapleton this week

The Stapleton Library at 132 Canal Street has a free Library Open Mic on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 5 p.m. Earlier in the week, Bilingual Birdies teaches Spanish through music on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 11:15 a.m., and the Teen and Tween Art Studio makes seasonal neon art the same day at 4 p.m.

How to attend

RSVP for the Nov. 6 gala through eden2.org by Oct. 24. Stapleton is served by the Staten Island Railway's Stapleton station and by buses along Bay Street.

Sources