Morris Plains Couple Joins Fight Against Autism

Two Morris Plains residents have helped organize the first Walk Now for Autism Speaks event in Morris County scheduled for this fall. A kickoff dinner will be held on Thursday at the Hamilton Park Hotel in Florham Park.

Liz and Ed Sluke are on the committee for the local walk, organized by the nation's largest autism research foundation. The event will be held at the Central Park of Morris County on Saturday, Oct. 6. Organizers are expecting about 1,500 people to attend.

New participants are invited to the kickoff dinner on Thursday to meet participants in the community and learn more about the organization.

The dinner is open to entrants in the Morris Plains event and also those planning to participate in the Cranford event on Oct. 21. There is no cost for the dinner. Cocktails will start at 5:30 p.m., and the dinner and program will begin at 6:30 p.m.

"People are going to learn about how important the walks are to Autism Speaks," said Dina Schwab, the walks' events director. "The walks are our most significant source of funding for the organization."

Schwab said participants will learn about the organization's mission, and hear from people who have participated with Autism Speaks in the past and how it's helped them.

"It's going to be inspirational and educational," Schwab said.

Schwab has been working with the walks for 11 years, and said the organization has had them in five other locations around New Jersey; West Windsor, Cranford, Long Branch, Paramus and Mount Laurel. This is the first one to come to Morris County, and she said they have a goal of raising $100,000 in October. Schwab said they generally raise between $300,000 and $600,000 at the walks.

Schwab said these walks help families with autistic children because it brings a sense of support and hope for them.

"Families who have a child with autism sometimes feel alone," she said. "When they come to the walk they are going to feel the support of the community, and they're going to learn about the resources that are available to them."

"It gives them a feeling of hope and a sense that there are people around them who are with them in the walk of life, with any challenges they have with their child with autism."

According to the Walk website, Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disorder in the country. The funds raised from the event will go into the organization's mission for providing awareness, fundraising, science and advocacy efforts.

The Walks are family friendly and easy for parents with strollers. Schwab said organizers are still planning out the route, but she estimates the walk to be about one-mile-and-a-half.

To RSVP to the dinner, call 609-228-7315 or e-mail dschwab@autismspeaks.org. For more information about the dinner visit its website.

For more information about the walk in October, visit its website here.