Binghamton University’s PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Scholars to unveil renovations at HCA preschool in Johnson City

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – Participants in Binghamton University’s School of Management (SOM) student honors program, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Scholars, and representatives from HCA (Helping Celebrate Abilities) will unveil new renovations at noon Friday, May 4, at the HCA preschool, 18 Broad St., Johnson City.

Remarks and a ribbon-cutting will be held at noon. A brief tour of the renovations will follow. The renovations are the culmination of a yearlong PwC Scholars community service project.

The outside area was transformed into a handicapped-accessible garden and outdoor classroom, with a newly installed pergola, fencing and flower beds. Inside the building, murals designed by the scholars were painted on the walls, while interactive, educational sensory units were installed throughout the building. Mosaics designed by local artist Emily Jablon, and constructed with the help of the preschoolers, were also hung up inside the classrooms.

The PwC Scholars have worked with HCA since the beginning of the school year to prepare for the project. In the fall, they held a garden clean-up day to clear the space needed for the outside renovations. In April, they held an all-day workday to install the majority of the renovations. The Scholars also painted stones with the preschool students that will be placed in the garden. In addition, the scholars provided help for HCA’s Thanksgiving feast at the preschool, as well as their annual “A Tasteful Day with HCA” fundraiser.

The PwC Scholars held a number of events throughout the year to raise over $18,000 for the project. Their efforts included a trivia night, a “date” auction that let students bid on networking events with professionals, and a stock-trading competition that pitted students and alumni against one another.

HCA has been providing services to people with disabilities of all ages since 1947. Its mission is to develop, establish and maintain multidisciplinary diagnostic and treatment services for developmentally and physically disabled persons and their families; plan and implement individualized programs designed to increase to the greatest possible degree the individual’s physical, social, intellectual and emotional abilities; and enable developmentally disabled persons to remain in the community, develop to their fullest potential and become independent functional members of society.

The School of Management PwC Scholars Program, sponsored by PwC, is for students of exceptional merit. Students are selected for their strong academic achievements and extracurricular accomplishments. Each year, the PwC Scholars identify a local initiative to engage in community service/fundraising as a way to give back to their community and foster stronger ties with the city of Binghamton.

For more information, contact Dina Layish at dlayish@binghamton.edu or 607-777-6854.