Most Wanted Lights it Up Blue for Autism Fundraiser set
BY ROBERT WIRSING
A fundraiser is looking
to present autism in a better
light.
The second annual Most
Wanted Lights it Up Blue for
Autism Fundraiser will be held
on Friday, April 26 at 8 p.m. at
McDermott’s Pub.
Mark Vasquez, Most Wanted
Motorcycle Club Bronx Chapter
president, and his friend
John Paul, God’s Family Brothers
Sisters Dedication president
and co-founder, chose to
hold the fundraiser to support
local schools who provide education
and services to children
and their families with autism.
Having loved ones who are
on the autism spectrum inspired
Vasquez and Paul to
create the fundraiser to better
educate people on autism and
explain the importance education
has for children on the
Their goal is to provide P.S.
12 Lewis and Clark School with
its own portable wheelchair
ramps.
Vasquez, a Castle Hill resident,
said that the school currently
borrows a wheelchair
ramp from another school so
its students can enter and exit
the school.
Paul, a Morris Park resident,
said they will also provide
the school with anything
its budget may not cover, such
as tablets to help nonverbal students
communicate with their
teachers.
According to Autism
Speaks, in 2018 the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention
determined that approximately
one in 59 children is
diagnosed with an autism spectrum
disorder; one in 37 boys
and one in 151 girls.
Autism, or ASD, refers to a
broad range of conditions characterized
by challenges with
social skills, repetitive behaviors,
speech and nonverbal
communication.
Paul’s daughter Khloe is autistic
and has been nonverbal
for most of her life.
He explained that Khloe’s
autism makes it diffi cult for
her to explain to him when
she’s not feeling well and often
causes her to become frustrated.
“They call it the spectrum
because every child with autism
is different, but they all
have a hard time explaining
how they feel or meeting new
people,” Paul said.
Vasquez said that Lewis
and Clark School assistant
principal Cesar Nina and a few
teachers will share their experiences
teaching children with
autism and better explain the
disorder.
He hopes that the fundraiser
will help parents with children
on the spectrum to be more accepting
of admitting their child
has autism.
The fundraiser is free for
everyone to attend and guests
can purchase an arm’s length
of raffl e tickets, 10 to 15 tickets,
for $20.
Prizes include a bully pitbull
puppy; a timeshare for
eight people to Clearwater, FL;
a Smart TV; turkey fryer; Yankees
and Mets tickets; free admission
for one adult and three
children to the New York Botanical
Garden; free manicures
and pedicures courtesy of Alex’s
Salon and many others.
Vasquez and Paul thanked
McDermott’s Pub for allowing
them to host the fundraiser
at their establishment and for
their continued support.
If interested in donating,
call Vasquez at (347) 340-7907 or
mvasquez9194@gmail.com.
The second annual Most Wanted Lights it Up Blue for Autism Fundraiser
will help bridge the gap between home and school for children on the
spectrum. Photo courtesy of Mark Vasquez
THE Greek American INSTITUTE
spectrum.
A SELECTIVE PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS OF ALL FAITHS AND BACKGROUNDS
BRONX TIMES REPORTER,36 APRIL 26-MAY 2, 2019 BTR
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