Total funds raised by Autism Awareness Junior Ambassador Mallory Banks passes $52,000
The Rockin’ For Autism Music Festival is pleased to announce that its third annual event, which was held on April 14, 2018 in Fanwood’s LaGrande Park, raised $17,500 to support autism programs and services offered by Autism New Jersey (autismnj.org). Highlights from the festival can be found at rockin4autism.org.
Rockin’ For Autism is the brainchild of 16-year-old Fanwood resident Mallory Banks, who since 2011 has now raised more than $52,000 in honor of her brother, Ethan (age 18), and all those affected by autism spectrum disorder. Miss Banks, an Autism Awareness Junior Ambassador for the past seven years, ranks among the top young adults in New Jersey who raise money for Autism Awareness Month.
This year’s festival raised nearly 35% more than last year’ total of $13,000, which the organizers attribute to increased attendance, a silent auction of sports tickets and memorabilia, corporate sponsorship by DevaCurl, and additional fundraising events hosted by Dairy Queen (Plainfield), The Stage House Tavern (Mountainside), 1958 Cuban Cuisine (Westfield) and the Somerset Patriots (Bridgewater).
“The Rockin’ For Autism Music Festival keeps getting bigger and better every year, and we are so grateful for the tremendous support we receive from the community,” said Jeff Banks, father of Mallory and Ethan and co-chairman of the event. “This year, Mallory’s fundraising efforts passed a major milestone, with more than $52,000 raised for Autism New Jersey. We are so proud of her, and we could not have come this far without the hard work of our volunteers and the generosity and support of local merchants, sponsors, festival goers and the Autism community.”
Several thousand people packed into LaGrande Park to listen to live music from a variety of local bands, including Anthem, Patrick Bamburak, Three Piece Nugget, Leave The Gun, Bryan Hansen Band, and Fanwood’s own singer/songwriter Eric Harrison. Additional performers included Sami Gootman, Matt Levine, the Cindy Smith Dance Studio and renowned music therapist Jammin’ Jenn.
Complementing the artistic performances was an obstacle course from Child’s Play Challenges Courses, a soccer clinic run by the Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School girls soccer team, Peter Juris Comedic Magician, the ‘Caped Crusader,’ Sparkee – the Somerset Patriots’ mascot, therapy dogs from Creature Comfort Pet Therapy, face painting and more.
In addition to the festival’s annual bake sale, food and refreshments were provided by Nick’s Pizza, The Juice House, American Heroes Smokehouse (formerly Red, White and Que), The Empanada Guy, The Thai Elephant, Sheelen’s Crossing, which hosted the beer garden, and New Jersey American Water.
More than 114 local merchants donated goods and services worth $15,000 to the Rockin’ For Autism tricky tray raffle. In addition, 29 vendors participated in the event, including T-Mobile, PM Pediatrics, Creative Comfort Pet Therapy, and Wolves Basketball Academy.
About Rockin’ For Autism
Rockin’ For Autism is an annual music festival dedicated to raising awareness and funds for Autism NJ, the largest statewide network of parents and professionals dedicated to improving lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorders. For more information, or to donate, volunteer, sponsor or exhibit at the event, please contact info@rockin4autism.org or visit rockin4autism.org.
(above) Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr (left) joins the Rockin’ For Autism planning committee in presenting a $17,500 check to Autism New Jersey’s Ellen Schisler (4th from left) at Sheelen’s Crossing. The Rockin’ For Autism Music Festival is the brainchild of Mallory Banks (center), who has raised more than $52,000 in honor of her brother Ethan (4th from right)
(above) Fanwood Police Lt. Frank Marrerro (left), Mallory Banks, Officer Dan Kranz and Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr pose with a check from the Fanwood P.B.A. to Autism New Jersey.
