Central Regional Autism Org. Donates $10K To Field Of Dreams

BERKELEY, NJ — If you build it, they will come. The Central Regional Autism Awareness Club made a major contribution toward building and enhancing the Field of Dreams in Toms River.

The club presented a $10,000 check Saturday at the 8th annual Strike Out Autism Challenge to the Field of Dreams, a project with a mission to build a community complex for individuals of all ages and abilities.

In return, the Field of Dreams will include a home plate inscribed "Central Regional HS Autism Awareness Club." It will forever be displayed on the walkway entrance into the Field of Dreams.

"Hats off to Mr. Frulio and the Club members for their hard work and dedication to bringing awareness to the cause, and making the world a better place for those with Autism and their families," Central Regional Family wrote on Facebook. "What you do each year is truly remarkable!"

This is the second straight year the Autism Awareness Club has made a sizable donation to help local athletes with special needs have a field to call their own.

The Toms River Field of Dreams is turning a 3-acre parcel of Bey Lea Park on North Bay Avenue into a facility for children with special needs, with baseball as its centerpiece. Work on the site got under way in March.

Once completed, it will include a walking path with rehabilitative fitness stations, a temperature-controlled pavilion, complimentary snack shack, courts for basketball, bocce and shuffle board, a state-of-the-art all-inclusive playground, quiet corner, and the baseball field. Read more: Work Begins At Toms River Field Of Dreams Site

The complex is open to all residents in surrounding towns and counties. Click here to donate to the cause.

Click here to get Patch email notifications on this or other local news articles or get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app. Download here. Follow Berkeley Patch on Facebook. Have a news tip? Email josh.bakan@patch.com.