Arbor Pitches Its Support to Charity Golf Outing on Long Island

One-Day Event Raised Funds to Create Work Opportunities for People with Disabilities

Arbor takes pride in helping to strengthen our clients and communities by empowering our employees to reach their full potential. With that aim, our company supported the Fifth Annual Smile Farms Invitational golf outing in Jericho, NY, on September 16, benefiting the Long Island-based non-profit dedicated to advancing opportunities for people with disabilities.

Throughout the year, Arbor offers our employees opportunities to volunteer at, engage with, and learn from non-profit organizations in local communities. Arbor’s relationship with Smile Farms continues to grow, from sponsoring our first event with the organization in 2023 to the 2025 Golf Invitational. Our team appreciates the opportunity to support Smile Farm’s important mission of creating meaningful employment, vocational, and educational opportunities for people with disabilities in agriculture and hospitality.

“As a Long Island-based company, our team is proud to keep building on Arbor’s partnership with Smile Farms to be part of the impact created by the organization’s vital work and show that we care about supporting the communities where we live and work,” said Adam Bell, Managing Director, Chief Marketing Officer at Arbor.

Golfing for a Good Cause

Meadow Brook Club played host to the outing, including Arbor’s Bell, Lou Sarube, Managing Director, Structured Asset Management, Peter Kempton, Senior Vice President, Talent Acquisition, and Joe Iele, Vice President, Database and Client Systems. Attendees witnessed the impact of their generosity firsthand when Smile Farms worker Davere Murph, who has become a leader at the garden, told a story about why his work matters so deeply.

The support of Arbor and the other organizations in attendance directly fuels Smile Farms’ year-round efforts to create meaningful job and training opportunities for people with developmental disabilities. Due in part to the success of fundraising events like this one, Smile Farms has grown from a single campus with 30 paid growers to supporting over 600 people across 14 campuses in Long Island and New York City.

“When business and community leaders join forces, they can create lasting change. The Smile Farms Invitational shows that spirit in action, bringing people together for more than a day of golf,” said Steve McDermott, Managing Director, Smile Farms. “With Arbor’s support, we’re creating meaningful opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities — empowering them to work with dignity, gain confidence, and build brighter futures.”

Working Together to Make a Difference Locally

Founded in 2015, Smile Farms saw potential within the local disabled community. Led by 1-800-Flowers Chairman Jim McCann, the non-profit organization offers disabled adults the chance to work in meaningful jobs to help them acquire new skills, contribute to a team, and experience the satisfaction of earning a paycheck.

Arbor, headquartered in Uniondale, was inspired to support the Smile Farms Golf Invitational to help advance local opportunities for disadvantaged individuals. Like McCann, Arbor is also proud of its Long Island roots and is grateful to be part of a community that values and supports our most vulnerable neighbors.

“As our Gold sponsor, Arbor is a newer supporter over the past few years, and we are so grateful to have them as a partner in this important work,” said McCann. “Like Arbor, our work at Smile Farms began with growing opportunities on Long Island. With Arbor and our other partners’ support, we are succeeding in our mission and helping many people live more fulfilling lives.”