Elks work to fund autism school, a cause dear to their hearts

2/07/08 With autism on the rise among children in the United States, a group of locals have come together to raise money for a school dedicated to helping these youths receive the education they deserve.

On Feb. 7, members of the Watertown Elks Lodge, their families and dozens of other supporters converged on the Watertown Friendly's restaurant to support the cause. A portion of the profits made by the meals ordered by the more than 40 supporters who came, in addition to those patrons in the establishment between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., went toward raising money for Melmark New England in Andover, Mass. The fundraiser was the first of two, with a second planned for March 8 at the Elks in the hopes of raising more than $10,000.

"I learned about autism because of my nephew [Joshua], who started going there about a year ago.and the difference in him is amazing," said Paula Sevene, the organizer of the fundraiser. "We have the means and we have the people that will support it.we might as well help as much as we can. Any little bit we do, including tonight, I'm sure is going to bring in money."

Jacqui Mancuso, a special needs teacher who helped plan the fundraiser at Friendly's, added, "I grew up with a sister with down syndrome so I've been involved with special needs for most of my life. I really like learning about Autism and working in that field and when this opportunity arose I jumped on board to help."

The Autism Society of America reports that at least 1.5 million people in the United States live with what is becoming the fastest-growing developmental disability. More than 1 in every 150 babies are now born with autism. The organization defines it as "a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills."

Melmark New England, the school that is at the focus of the group's fundraising, is one of hundreds of institutions appearing across the country in the last decade to help children with this disability gain an education.

Despite the success of the first fundraiser -and the more than $2000 that has been raised thus far through other projects - the March 8 event will bring in the majority of the funds organizers are hoping to raise. More than 65 of the 110 seats available were sold as of press time. Sevene and others are hoping that the affair, which will include a dinner, a silent auction and music, will become an annual event to help the cause.

"I've had so much support from our members and others, so it's making it easy," Sevene said. "When it comes down to it there are all kinds of little things that will hopefully add up to one big goal.to raise money.