Shopping Event at Café Manolo Raises $2,000 For Autism Speaks

Westport’s Café Manolo hosted a one-day shopping event and fundraiser Tuesday that helped raise over $2,000 for Autism Speaks, North America’s largest autism science and advocacy organization.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the 10th annual Westchester/Fairfield Walk Now for Autism Speaks, one of numerous walks the organization holds throughout the country each year to raise funds and build awareness.

Created by Weston resident Melissa Gladstone, owner of Designs by Melissa, and Westport resident Allison Ziering Walmark, a mother of a child with autism, the fundraising event featured goods from local merchants including Groove (Corri Neckritz); Cari Miller Photography (Cari Miller); Nature Girl Designs (Ruthie Lopp); O.A.T.S Granola (Dana Noorily and Julie Gaines); Designs by Melissa jewelry; and other vendors. Merchandise included women’s clothing, monogrammed items and housewares.

“When Melissa offered to host a shopping event where 15 percent of all proceeds would be donated to Autism Speaks, I was overwhelmed on a multitude of levels, both from a friendship and charitable standpoint,” said Ziering Walmark, captain of Autism Speaks’ “E-TEAM” and a co-creator of the local, invitation-only Autism Speaks music festival, “SPANSTOCK," in a release.

Gladstone said although she couldn’t write a check to Autism Speaks for $2,000, she knew she could create an event that would raise money for the organization.

“We used social media and handed out flyers to local businesses generate excitement for the event,” Gladstone said. “This was truly a labor of love for us both. Of course, the event couldn’t have happened without the generosity and support of Café Manolo, and for that we are truly grateful.”

The Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are the signature fundraisers for Autism Speaks. This year’s Westchester/Fairfield Walk Now for Autism Speaks was held on June 5, and has already raised $850,000 towards its $1.1 million goal.  The event attracted more than 15,000 walkers from Fairfield and Westchester Counties.  The funds raised will support much-needed scientific research, advocacy efforts and family services and will help increase awareness about autism spectrum disorder, which is now diagnosed in 1 in 110 children.

For more information about the 2011 Westchester/Fairfield Walk Now for Autism Speaks, or to make a donation, visit www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/westchesterfairfield or contact Autism Speaks at 914-934-5138 or westchesterfairfield@autismspeaks.org.

For more information about Café Manolo, visit www.cafemanolo.com or call 203-227-0703.