Ice show aimed at raising money for autism

HILLSBOROUGH —Hillsborough Hope and the Sovereign Bank Arena have joined together in holding a fundraising event to aid children diagnosed with autism.

For tickets bought in section No. 106 for the "Disney on Ice: Disneyland Adventure" event on Saturday, Jan. 31, the Sovereign Bank Arena will donate $6.50 to the national charity Autism Speaks in the name of the township's chapter, Hillsborough Hope.

However, only tickets purchased through the group sales department will be eligible and only 200 seats are available in that section to benefit the cause.

The ice show plans to feature Walt Disney characters Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Buzz Lightyear from the film "Toy Story," the Incredibles and others as they travel on popular rides in a setting at the Disneyland theme park in California.

"Proceeds from events like these bring hope to families that there is a better future for their children," said Greg Gillette, whose son has been diagnosed with autism.

Gillette said there is a goal to raise $40,000 total by December 2009 through various fundraisers. The ice show will help give Hillsborough's Hope a "head start," he said.

In 2006, Autism Speaks and the National Alliance for Autism Research merged, creating the world's largest autism advocacy organization. In Hillsborough, the township's chapter "Hillsborough Hope," was created by Gillette's wife Patty and township resident Kelly Neuberger.

The program helps aid more than 1,000 township children with special needs. The majority are diagnosed with autism, a complex biological disorder of development that results in social interaction problems, communication difficulties and restrictive or repetitive interests and behaviors.

Other fundraisers to benefit Autism Speaks have included events at township schools; a "tricky tray" basket auction that took place in November, and the annual October walkathon — Central Jersey Walk Now For Autism, Gillette said. This year, Hillsborough Hope raised $250,000 total during the walkathon and gathered about 75 residents, he said.

Thomas Yorke, group sales manager for the Sovereign Bank Arena, said to date, ticket sales have already been successful for the ice show.

"We've received a ton of emails and calls about the night already and look forward to continuing to increase our numbers as we get closer to the date," he said.

For the autism fundraiser, forms can be downloaded at http://cnhillsborough.blogspot.com or by e-mailing patty90@aol.com. Mail the downloaded form to Sovereign Bank Arena, ATTN: Group Sales, 81 Hamilton Ave., Trenton, NJ 08611.

"Disneyland Adventure" runs Wednesday, Jan. 28, to Sunday, Feb. 1. Tickets are $16 to $66 and can be ordered by calling 800-298-4200 or by visiting comcasttix.com.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann: 908-707-3155;


Psroka@MyCentralJersey.com

Source: mycentraljersey.com