Jillian Daidone
Communications Coordinator
Ph: (609) 392-4900/Cell: (609) 937-2443
[email protected]
September 25, 2012
For Immediate Release
Walk For New Jersey Families with Disabilities
EDISON – The Family Resource Network (FRN) will hold its 8th Annual Walk for a Brighter
Tomorrow rain or shine on Sunday, October 7th in Roosevelt Park. All funds raised will benefit
NJ families affected by intellectual and developmental disabilities including autism, epilepsy and
chronic illness.
Teams will enjoy a leisurely walk around the park, free lunch sponsored by Menlo Park
Rainforest Cafe, a family fun day full of activities, face-painting, cotton candy and more. The
event welcomes around 700 participants and rose over $65,000 last year for programs and
services for individuals and families with disabilities in NJ.
“Each year gives families, friends and supporters the opportunity to join together in a
central location to celebrate and raise needed funds to continue our existing programs and grow
along with the needs of this population,” explains Molly Klayman, Special Events Coordinator.
The walk draws countless families and friends of FRN’s four affiliate organizations:
Autism Family Services of NJ, Caregivers of NJ, Epilepsy Foundation of NJ and the Family
Support Center of NJ. After crossing the finish line, walkers are invited to attend the family fun
day, which includes free activities for all registered attendees including music, dancing, crafts
and information takeaways for related programs and services.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released 2012 statistics this spring
claiming 1 in every 49 people in New Jersey have an autism diagnosis compared to the national
average of 1 in 88 people. Families and their supporters are encouraged to walk to raise needed
funds to continue current services for this population and allow for necessary expansion.
Through its affiliates, FRN is able to provide a wide breadth of services to these
individual populations, such as in-home respite care, recreational programs, after school care,
trainings, workshops, and more. In 2011, .96 cents of every dollar donated went directly towards
programs and services for individuals and families affected by disabilities in New Jersey.
Main sponsors of the event include Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group, The Walking
Company, Sciame Construction, Lundbeck and the Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery at
St. Barnabas. For more information, to register a walk team or for general donations, please visit
www.walkforabrightertomorrow.org/central or contact Molly Klayman, Special Events
Coordinator at (609) 392-4900 or via email at [email protected].
###
The Family Resource Network (FRN) is a comprehensive, family-focused, organization designed to
meet the growing need for community based programs and services to this rising population. FRN’s
affiliated organizations are Autism Family Services of NJ, Caregivers of NJ, Epilepsy Foundation of NJ
and the Family Support Center of NJ. Please visit www.familyresourcenetwork.org for more
information.