Donation to benefit autism program
BY TOYNETT HALL
Staff Writer

HOWELL - The Board of Education has accepted a donation from the Center State Autism Foundation in the amount of $12,000 to be used for the K-8 school district's autism program.

The board accepted the donation at its meeting on Feb. 7.

Robert Walsh, who is the CEO of Center State Mortgage and Howell's deputy mayor, founded the Center State Autism Foundation three years ago. Through the foundation Walsh raises funds to aid the autistic community.

Walsh said he divides the fundraising proceeds into thirds and donates money to COSAC (the New Jersey Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community); GRACE (Getting Resour-ces for the Autistic Children's Equality), which is a foundation in Staten Island, N.Y.; and the Howell school district's autism program.

Walsh's son Sean, 12, is a full-time student enrolled in Howell's program for children who have autism.

"The Board of Education and teachers of Howell go above and beyond the expectations of addressing children with special needs in Howell," Walsh said, adding that the donation he made on behalf of the foundation is "part of my way of giving back for all that they do."

According to Walsh, the money that is donated to the school district is generally used to provide extra items for special needs students, such as classroom equipment.

"We try to see that the proceeds from our fundraising are given to the Howell school board and the other two autism groups in order to help the children and families in a way that their budgets do not allow at this time," he said.

Assistant Superintendent of Schools Susan Vonsover said, "the Howell school district has an excellent program for autistic students. Mr. Walsh's donation of $12,000 allows us to continue providing those superior programs."

The Center State Foundation for Autism will hold its next fundraiser on June 11 at the Eagle Oaks Golf Club in Farmingdale.

"The Bible tells us that it takes a village to raise a child. In the modern day world it takes a community to raise a special needs child," Walsh said.