First Annual Autism Awareness Walk A Big Success

Both the Autism Awareness Club and the Key Club of Central Regional High School joined efforts Sunday to create a fun day out while at the same time raising funds and awareness for autism.

The took place under sunny skies with a crowd of almost a thousand at Veterans Park.

Members of the showed up with their 100-foot ladder truck. Special guest Elmo dangled from the ladder, much to the delight of his fans.

"It shows the kids that we're human...we have kids, too," said Bayville Volunteer Fire Company Chief Ken Anderson.

"We're out here to support the cause," Anderson said. "It (autism) is so prevalent. It can happen to any family."

The fire department also handed out book bags and water bottles to the children.

Children excitedly lined up for two of the most popular attractions, the 'bounce house' and inflatable slide, all afternoon.

E.J. Simonson, 5, was one of them.

"It was so much fun," he said, as he exited the bounce house.

His sister Leah, 12 months old, too young for the bouncing, took in all the sites in what turned out to be a perfect day weatherwise.

"I'm very happy with how everything turned out," said , the event organizer and advisor for the Autism Awareness Club. Frulio's four-year-old son Dayton is autistic.

"We were a little nervous because it was postponed, but it turned out it was the right thing to do," said Lindsey Tier, Key Club advisor.

Money raised will be divided between Parents of Autistic Children (POAC) and Autism Speaks. Organizers today did not yet have a total of amount raised.

"We were selling puzzles during the week so we should have a final total by tomorrow at the earliest," said Tier.

Sandra Walker and her daughter, Kristen, 18, a Central Regional High School student, took in the sights.

"They have a nice thing going here," said Walker. "They definitely need to do this next  year, and we'll be here. Mr. Frulio is to be commended for putting this together."