autismfamilytours.org

Autism Family Tours with Brianna, Inc. is off to a running start for this fall season! Our running team members, Claudette Bardwil, Mabel Levine, Don Hessemer, Allison Kanarek, Dave Lazarus, Carolyn Colonna and Linda Michalak are passionate about running as well as supporting local program for families experiencing autism. The races planned for this fall are as follows:
The Beth Walks for Kids 5K in Newark, NJ originally scheduled for September 13, will now be held on September 27; Berkeley Heights 5 K on September 21; Jersey Shore 1/2 Marathon on October 5; LBI 18 Miler on October 12; Summit Y 5K on October 19; Philadelphia Marathon on November 23; and Westfield Turkey Trot 5 Miler on November 29. We welcome our co-sponsors for our fall running team: “The Fine Properties Team” at Re/Max Properties Unlimited, Westfield; and Unity Bank, Scotch Plains.

Our organization welcomes runners of all abilities to join our running team! If you are passionate about running, spreading autism awareness and wellness, kindly contact us either by phone, fax, or e-mail. As a member of the running team, you are not required to run all races, but whatever you could do would be greatly appreciated and we look forward to having you join our team.

We were most successful in offering various programs that served families impacted by autism and some of the upcoming offerings planned include: Therapeutic Horseback Riding and Family Special Needs Yoga. Our Group Spirit support group is an ongoing program for families. These programs can only happen with your help and support. Autism Family Tours with Brianna, Inc. relies on contributions from personal, corporate, and organizational sponsorships and grant funding for the development and implementation of these programs. All donations are tax deductible. If you wish to support the Autism Family Tours with Brianna, Inc.’s Running Team or other programs and activities, call (908) 889-8860 or send an e-mail contact@
autismfamilytours.org.

For more information, please check the website: www.autismfamilytours.org. Donations may be sent to Autism Family Tours with Brianna, Inc., P.O. Box 24, Fanwood, NJ 07023-0024. Every dollar raised from donations will be used to assist the families impacted by autism.

Support our Runners!

On Saturday, August 2^nd close to forty families having children with Autism came together to enjoy a special

afternoon out to see the Gazillion Bubbles Show at the Union County Performing Arts Center.

Performer Fan Yang came to greet our families that participated in our program. Full Press Release

From left to right –The Duffer Family - Bernadette, son Andrew and Jim Duffer

Fanwood, NJ, July 5, 2008 – Current running team members, Claudette Bardwil, Carolyn Colonna, Don Hessemer, Allison Kanarek, Dave Lazarus, Mabel Levine, and Linda Michalak, are passionate about running as well as supporting local programs for families experiencing autism. Fred Chemidlin, CEO of the Family Investors Company and Peter Chemidlin, President, offered their company’s sponsorship for the Summer 2008 running season. Their generous contribution shows their support for the family-centered autism programs. Through this sponsorship, the team will participate in several races throughout New Jersey this season. The runners will be running in the Westfield Pizza Run 5K on July 23. Other races include, the South Mountain Reservation 5K in Maplewood on August 7; and the Turkey Swamp Race in Freehold on August 10. The runners participated in the President Cup 5K Race in Millburn On June 16, and the Firecracker 4 miler in Cranford on July 4.

In the picture, from left to right –Carolyn Colonna, Allison Kanarek, Linda Michalak, Dave Lazarus, Brianna Bardwil, Claudette Bardwil, Don Hessemer, Mabel Levine, Peter Chemidlin, President of Family Investor’s Company and Fred Chemidlin, CEO of Family Investor’s Company

Members of Autism Family Tours with Brianna running team ventured out in the stormy weather for the President’s Cup 5K Race in Millburn, NJ on June 16th. We all persevered despite the weather conditions. Members of the team that participated in the Millburn race, from left to right Don Hessemer, Claudette Bardwil, Dave Lazarus.

The running team is sponsored by Family Investors Corporation in Fanwood, NJ

Stay tuned for next race, July 4th Firecracker in Cranford NJ

Autism Family tours with Brianna partnered with the Scotch Plains/YMCA on Saturday June 14 to offer a family program with entertainment, fellowship, and fun recreational swimming in a safe, non judgmental atmosphere.

Fun was had by all!

Autism Family Tours with Brianna has partnered with the Scotch Plains/Fanwood YMCA to offer a family swim night.  Registration is mandatory and a liability waiver will need to be signed prior to the event.  Family Swim Night Flyer (pdf) Family Swim Night Waiver(pdf)

July 13, 2008 Autism Family Tours with Brianna has partnered with Just Bead Yourself, in Westfield for a Special Needs & Beads workshop.  This workshop is best suited for special needs children with high functioning Autism.  Registration is mandatory.   Special Needs and Beads Flyer (pdf)

Autism Family Tours with Brianna running team!
Our charity is pleased to announce the formation of our new running team!  Members of the community have joined forces with us to spread Autism awareness and raise money for our programs to service the needs of families impacted by Autism.  Runners of all abilities are welcome to join our fun loving team!  Contact Claudette Bardwil at Claudette@autismfamilytours.org for more information on joining the running team. Running Team|Donation Information (pdf).

Laura from Discovery Toys partners with Autism Family Tours with Brianna, Inc
Discovery Toys has a wide range of toys that are helpful for Children with Autism. Click on link below, choose “what’s hot” tab, then “Autism” for detailed information. There are tabbed labels for each toy that will help you select the type of learning that will benefit your special child.  Thanks so much to Laura from Discovery Toys for partnering with us. 
www.discoverytoyslink.com/learnwithlaura (put code AFTWB on Address line 1 – proceeds of orders placed will go toward supporting our charity.)

This is our NJ Relay team at the NJ Marathon - May 4, 2008

Autism Family Tours Founder & President Claudette Bardwil with NJ COSAC Executive Director Linda Meyer at the NJ Marathon

Autism Family Tours with Brianna, Inc. is named Business of the Month by Unity Bank (Scotch Plains branch)

Autism Family Tours Founder & President Claudette Bardwil and Board Member, Janet Greene with Bill Evans at The Lord and Taylor Benefit Bash (May 6, 2008)

Official unveiling of Autism Family Tours with Brianna, Inc. at St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church (5/18/08)

On Sunday, May 18 from 3:00 to 5:00pm there will be a midday reception unveiling a new, local non-profit organization. Autism Family Tours for Brianna, Inc. focuses on providing customized, therapeutic, educational tour programs designed to help children with autism and their immediate families.
The organization also offers local support programs and respite for caregivers and siblings working toward strengthening families and their relationships with others in the area. This event will provide a mechanism to get more information about autism and Autism Family Tours with Brianna. Some of the organization’s service partners will be available to explain their offerings. Community members are welcome to show their support for local families impacted by the autism epidemic. The reception will take place at the St. Bartholomew the Apostle cafeteria at 2032 Westfield Avenue in Scotch Plains. Refreshments will be served. There will be great prizes and giveaways. Visit the Autism Family Tours with Brianna, Inc. website at
www.autismfamilytours.org to learn more about the organization. For more information about the event, contact Claudette Bardwil at 908-889-8860 or by e-mail: contact@autismfamilytours.org

Marathon Weekend

Our founder and President, Claudette Bardwil is a member of the New Jersey Road Runners Club, and will be running with the official Autism Family Tours Relay team at the New Jersey Marathon on May 4, 2008 in Long Branch, NJ. There will be fun for everyone on Marathon Weekend May 2 – 4, 2008. Learn more about how to support our team (pdf).

Lord & Taylor Benefit Bash

Autism Family Tours with Brianna, Inc. is participating in the Westfield, NJ Lord & Taylor Benefit Bash on May 6, 2008. For a $5.00 tax deductible ticket to support our charity you will receive special coupons and savings for one day only at Lord & Taylor in Westfield. Register for a chance to win a fabulous prize: A $2,000 wardrobe or a $500 Spa gift certificate. Learn more about the Lord & Taylor Benefit Bash (pdf).

Email Contact@autismfamilytours.org now for your tickets!