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The New Jersey Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community
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Autism Awareness Month 2008Ambassador News and EventsOur Ambassadors are helping to make Autism Awareness Month 2008 an enormous success. Thank you for your hard work planning events and building partnerships to spread awareness. In this section, we recap the many activities they planned for April. With so many ambassadors, updates are coming in often, so check back regularly. For more information about our Autism Awareness Ambassador Program, click here.
 COSAC is proud to announce that we have 446 registered Ambassadors and 163 registered Junior Ambassadors from 28 states and from countries as far away as Northern Ireland. Outside of New Jersey, our Ambassadors are spreading autism awareness in: Arkansas · California · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Missouri · Nevada · New Hampshire · New York · Ohio · Oklahoma · Pennsylvania · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Vermont · Virginia · West Virginia
You can still sign up to be an Ambassador or Junior Ambassador! Last Updated 4/01/08.
Calendar of Ambassador Events and ActivitiesApril 5, 2008
10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Overview of Autism Lecture. Parents, grandparents, friends and caregivers of people with autism will want to attend this educational workshop, sponsored by the Jackson Friends of the Library, held at Jackson Branch of the Ocean County Library. This workshop, presented by Dr. Yvette Janvier, M.D. will offer participants helpful tips on how to interact with individuals with autism, how families can better manage the stresses of caring for children with autism and much more. For more
information please contact Howard Lazan, Jackson Friends of the Library, at 732-833-2926.
April 13, 2008
"Night of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Benefit for Autism Education" airs live on Comedy Central. Check your local listing for viewing times and tune in to see Jon Stewart host this comedy benefit show. Click here for more information.
April 15, 2008
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Junior Ambassador Alex Abend is pleased to announce the Second Annual Autism Family Night in cooperation with TGI Friday's! Go to any tri-state area TGI Friday's in New Jersey, Connecticut, Long Island, Westchester and Orange Counties in New York and parts of New York City (Queens, Brooklyn & Staten Island) and enjoy a relaxed family dinner without feeling stigmatized! Click here to download the flyer you must bring with you. For Friday's locations near you, click here.
April 21, 2008
4:30pm
Barnes and Noble in Howell, NJ will be conducting a Story Time to promote Autism Awareness. Ambassador Michelle Walsh will be there to answer common questions about autism spectrum disorders. For more information, please contact Barnes and Noble at 732-730-2819. This event is one of many Barnes & Noble Autism Awareness Events throughout New Jersey and the country during April. To find other events near you, click here.
April 21, 2008
All Day
Junior Ambassador Erica Steiger has organized an "Applebee’s Dining to Donate" Day. Go to Applebee’s at Ryders Crossing Shopping Center in Milltown, NJ on Monday, April 21. Diners who present this downloadable flyer will have 10% of their bill donated to Autism Awareness 2008, proceeds to benefit COSAC! Contact COSAC at 609-883-8100 x21 or Erica Steiger at autismawareness08@gmail.com for more information. You must present a flyer to your server for your donation to count. (Download flyer now!)
April 23, 2008
7:00 to 8:30pm
Barnes and Noble in Springfield, NJ will be conducting a Story Time to promote Autism Awareness. COSAC will be on hand to provide resources and information. This event is one of many Barnes & Noble Autism Awareness Events throughout New Jersey and the country during April. To find other events near you, click here.
April 26th, 2008 (Rain date: 5/3/08)
Ambassador Jason York and Rancocas Valley’s S.P.E.A.K. club (Students Promoting Empathy for Autistic Kids) is hosting a car wash fundraiser at ShopRite of Hainesport, Rt. 38 and Rt. 541 bypass. Proceeds will be donated to COSAC and RV’s S.P.E.A.K club.
April 26th, 2008
12:00 to 4:00pm
Lisa Egan is organizing a Family Fun Day at Inlaws Pub & Grill in New Brunswick. Inlaws Pub & Grill is closing its doors to the public and opening them for families effected by autism spectrum disorders! Kids can make their own pizza and ice cream sundaes. Face painting and popcorn along with many other fun activities will be included. This event is free to attend; donations accepted with all proceeds to COSAC!
April 27, 2008
1:05 pm
Trenton Thunder Autism Awareness Day. Join the Trenton Thunder as they play the New Britain RockCats at Waterfront Park for a day of family fun, baseball, and help raise Awareness for Autism! The first 1,000 fans ages 5-15 will receive a Youth Glove. All children with autism in attendance will receive a complimentary Kid Zone Pass and the opportunity to run the bases following the game. Tickets are $10.00 each and proceeds from ticket sales will benefit COSAC. To order tickets, download an order form.
Questions, contact the Thunder at 609-394-3300 x124 or email adam@trentonthunder.com
May 7, 2008
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
3rd Annual NYC Dinner for Autism Awareness at Dewey's Flatiron restaurant organized by Jack DeWitt from the Glen Ridge Child Study Team. The event will offer open refreshments with food, raffles and silent auction. Tickets for the event are $40 per person and can be purchased by sending a check (payable to Autism New Jersey Foundation) to: GR Public Schools Ridgewood Avenue School Student Services, 235 Ridgewood Avenue, Glen Ridge, NJ 07028, Attn: Jack DeWitt, Re: Autism Awareness
Dinner.
May 14, 2008
8:00pm
The Headliner in Neptune will be hosting a benefit for autism awareness. The event will include a performance by Daddy Pop, a chance auction and food. Tickets are $10.00. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Adam Silversmith at 732-300-6556 or Asilversmith1016@aol.com
Thursdays in April
Los Amigos Restaurants in Berlin and Atlantic City have organized a fund raiser for autism awareness! Every Thursday in April, one third of all food sales will be donated to COSAC. Click here to find out more about this exciting event!
In the Community Library Resources Available
The Scotch Plains Library and the Fanwood Memorial Library, together with COSAC and their other partners, have created a website and training video for library staff. Visit www.thejointlibrary.com/autism to view their training resources. The site features a customer service training video primarily for library staff to help them serve individuals with autism and their families more effectively. Thank you to COSAC member Adrienne Robertiello and to Meg Koyala from the Scotch
Plains Library for their leadership roles in this project.
Displays
Dr. Virginia Haskin has created library displays at: Brielle Public Library, Manasquan Public Library, and Monmouth County Library Branch in Wall Township! These displays will be up all month.
Carol Slemmer has set up a display to promote Autism Awareness Month at her local church, Seventh Day Adventist.
Training and Presentations
Westampton Township Emergency Services is proud to present two awareness activities. Thank you to Ambassador Jason York for sharing the following information: (1) Firefighters and EMTs will be participating in a mandatory training on autism spectrum disorders. Westampton has teamed with the Durand Academy to provide instruction on awareness and patient transportation. (2) In conjunction with the Westampton Township Bureau of Fire Prevention, a limited number of free voice alert detectors will be available to Westampton families with special needs children in pre-school though 1st grade. Instructions for pickup will be made available to the Westampton School District. For more information on Westampton Township Emergency Services’ awareness programs, please call Captain Wylie
Johnson, (609) 261-2041.
Sarah Pamela DeRemigi presented the "do's and don't's" to her fellow staff members in the Emergency Department at Kennedy Health Systems in Stratford.
New Jersey Turnpike Signs
 COSAC will have Autism Awareness Signs posted on toll booths throughout the New Jersey Turnpike during April.
In the SchoolsGrace Wilday Junior High School, Roselle, NJ
Ambassadors Cheryl Santos and Adrian Allotey are organizing a series of activities that will run through autism awareness month. These activities will education students and faculty about autism spectrum disorders. A school assembly on April 17th will include three speakers providing a family member's perspective, as well as an overview about ASDs.
Wall Township -- Volley for Autism
Student vs. Faculty Volleyball Game is scheduled for April 24, 2008 at 7:00pm at the Wall High School Old Gym. Admission: $5.00 donation accepted. Proceeds for this fundraiser will benefit COSAC. Questions? Contact Kathy Parte at 732-556-2515 or John Pagano at 732-556-2529.
 In the NewsAmbassador Ann Alexander wrote a letter to the editor for the South Orange News Paper. Her letter informed the community that April is autism awareness month and she continued it by stating, "It is a wonderful time to make a special effort to reach out to a neighbor who may have a child with autism." She then listed tips for parents to schedule play dates with their children and children on the autism spectrum.
Ambassador and mother, Laura Scotti lists the importance of spreading autism awareness throughout her community in The Leader. She states, “I definitely would like to see more awareness,” Scotti said. “When people see a child behaving in a different manner … they may stare and not understand” that the child has autism. To read more about Laura and other parents, click here.
Junior AmbassadorsOur Junior Ambassadors and siblings are some of our most enthusiastic supporters.
 Reabekka Danley
Reabekka is the 10 year old sister to Roxanne, diagnosed with an ASD, and a Girl Scout in Troop #16538. One of Reabekka's many efforts to spread autism awareness this year includes having a troop crest, an autism awareness ribbon, designed and approved by the Girl Scout Council.
 Reabekka and her troop also donated an autism awareness flag to the city of Pleasantville in Atlantic County. On March 31st, Mayor Ralph Peterson Sr. will raise the flag over the city of Pleasantville in support of autism awareness month. The flag will fly the entire month of April. Great job Reabekka and troop!
 Val-Austin Sblendorio
COSAC Junior Ambassador Val has been active spreading autism awareness in his community. He organized a school merchandise sale where he raised over $500, he and his family donated $300 worth of books about autism to his local Wayne library and his efforts were mentioned in the local newspaper. Great job Val and the rest of the Sblendorio family!
Julie Welsh
Jr. Ambassador Julie Welsh and her classmates and friends have organized "Help Julie Help Others" Yard/Bake Sale. This multi-family yard sale will feature everything from clothes, toys, furniture, baked goods and face paining! All proceeds will be donated to COSAC. Sale is scheduled for April 19 (raindate: April 20) from 9:30am to 2:00 pm at 408 Stiles Ave (2 blocks down from Municipal Building, towards Route 73) in Maple Shade.
Ava Panza
Ava is raising funds for COSAC and spreading Autism Awareness by making and selling chocolate puzzle pieces! To get her peers involved, she gave a presentation to her class, brought in blank chocolate puzzle pieces for them to decorate, and gave out COSAC's Jr. Ambassador's Activity Books.
Autism Awareness MerchandiseCOSAC Items: Click here for items on sale in our COSAC Store
Dolls: Loretta Boronat is teaching children about autism awareness through the stories that come with the new series of dolls she created: My Siblingtm Dolls. The My Sibling Work Experience program provides students and adults with autism an opportunity to assemble and package her company's products. Loretta's original hand made puzzle print autism awareness items are also available on her website: www.mysiblingdolls.com.
Online AmbassadorsThank you to the following "Online Ambassadors" who have set up webpages. Click here to view what they've created or to set up your own.
Dress Down DaysThank you to our Dress Down Day organizers. More Dress Down Day results coming soon.
 Acme Food Store
Organized by: Stasia Jewell
Blackrock, Inc. (scheduled for April 25)
Organized by: Anuradha Raghuraman
Byram Township Schools
Organized by: Kara Valeich
Cedar Creek Elementary School
Organized by: Jodi Hughes
DC Designs LLC/Jefferson School District (scheduled for April 2)
Organized by: Melissa Senatore
East Dover Elementary School (scheduled for April 2)
Organized by: Antoinette Dominicci-Fifoot
Fair Lawn Stepping Stones (scheduled for April 2)
Organized by: Dianna Maranilli
Gloucester County Public Schools ($2,896 raised)
Organized by: Stasia Jewell
Haddonfield Public Schools, J. Fithian Tatem Elementary School
Organized by: Lisa Pentkowski
Haddonfield Public Schools, Central Elementary School (scheduled for April 2)
Organized by: Gwen Luecke
Hainesport School District (scheduled for April 23)
Organized by: Marjorie Pollock
Irving Primary School (scheduled for April 2)
Organized by: Rachel Richer
Jersey City Public Schools (scheduled for April 11)
Organized by: Carol Curtis
Johnson & Johnson PRD (scheduled for April 8)
Organized by: Ella Blue
Little Ferry Public Schools ($615 raised)
Organized by: Lynn Nunziato
Merrill Lynch
Organized by: David Bremen
Morgan Elementary School ($165 raised)
Organized by: Patricia Walter
Parsippany Troy-Hills School District (scheduled for April 2)
Organized by: Marissa Loiaco
Pennsauken Township Municipal Building (scheduled for April 18)
Organized by: Dee McDevitt
Pequannock Township High School
Organized by: Michele Crefeld
Pine Beach Elementary School (scheduled for April 4)
Organized by: Shannon Brown
Richard M Teitelman School (scheduled for April 2)
Organized by: Robert Bonner
Rockaway Township School District (scheduled for April 17)
Organized by: Jessica La Forgia
Rockaway Township School
Organized by: Dave Koenig
Smolin Lupin & Company (scheduled for April 16)
Organized by: Rachel Anavski
Springville Elementary School (scheduled for April 11)
Organized by: Melissa Eagan
Troy Hills Elementary School (scheduled for April 2)
Organized by: Cavan Londergan
Union Valley Elementary School (scheduled for April 4)
Organized by: Ramona DiMaria
The You & Me School (scheduled for April 28)
Organized by: Michelle Mead
Walnut Street Elementary School (scheduled for April 18)
Organized by: Kevin Smith
Washington School (scheduled for April 18)
Organized by: Denise Bellenger
Autism Awareness ProclamationsEmail aamonth@njcosac.org to let us know about your community's proclamation.
Proclamations:Check back soon for updates from the many municipalities across the state that have declared April "National Autism Awareness Month!"
Burlington County
Westampton Township, Mayor Harry Adams
Cape May County
Dennis Township, Mayor John Murphy
Hunterdon County
County of Hunterdon
Mercer County
East Windsor Township, Mayor Janice Mironov
Lawrence Township, Mayor Mark W. Holmes
Passaic County
Wayne, Mayor Christopher Vergano
Somerset County
Hillsborough Township, Mayor Anthony Ferrera
Sussex County
Byram Township, Mayor Eskil S. Danielson
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