Elise Testone sings for Henry Viscardi School students

Elise Testone sings for Henry Viscardi School students

More than 350 students, teachers and guests came out to support children with disabilities.

The Reach for a Star luncheon at the Crest Hollow Country Club raised funds for special programs at the Henry Viscardi School at the Viscardi Center.

A very important surprise for the children: Elise Testone, a former American Idol contestant.

Testone, who placed 6th on last season of American Idol, came out not only to perform, but to show her support for the children.

Tiffany Franco, 12, had the opportunity to sing with her idol, too.

"These kids that go to this school don't have the same opportunities as other children," said Denise Wolfbliss, the co-chair for Reach for a Star Committee. "They don't get to socialize with their peers so we raise money for after school programs recreation programs overnight programs transitional programs when they get a little bit older."

This luncheon alone helped to raise over $165,000.

"These kids are inspiring to be with when I see them every day we fist pump we touch we talk make them look me in the eye, I acknowledge them and I tell them that I love them tell them they have worth and are going to grow up to be great human beings," said John Kemp, the president and CEO of the Viscardi Center and the Henry Viscardi School.

Keanu Resnick, 12, was in such good spirits, he even wanted to sing for me.

"We are very fortunate to have this school with the expertise of teachers and therapists who can educate kids with severe disabilities who also have medical conditions and we are able to give them the very best well-rounded education as well as rigorous and fun curriculum," Kemp said.

http://www.theviscardicenter.org/