Community Corner
Brayton Student Encourages Summit to "Light it up Blue" for Autism Awareness
Zachary Brooks, 10, is hoping Summit residents and business owners will spread awareness for World Autism Day on April 2.
Zachary Brooks a 10-year-old at Brayton Elementary has a twin brother with Autism and is working to get Summit businesses and residents involved in autism awareness by “Lighting up Blue” or hanging an autism awareness sign for World Autism Day on April 2.
Brooks speaks to Summit businesses and schools to tell his story of his brother Jack who has Autism and how people should be more aware of the disorder.
Last year, Brooks worked with his aunt, Donna Puzella who owns Sweet Nothings in Downtown Summit to get businesses involved and they were able to get over two dozen businesses involved and raised over $3,000 for Autism Speaks.
This year, the two have about eleven businesses already participating, as well as schools and the Summit Police Department.
Brooks speaks at schools, makes announcements at Brayton and will be speaking at Oratory Prep about his experiences living with a brother with Autism. Also, he spoke twice at the Autism Speaks golf classic held at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield.
“It’s terrific he is spreading the word at a young age,” Puzella said.
She added that they are asking businesses and people to participate just for the day or the month, but children with autism and their families live it with everyday for the rest of their life.
“But one day or one month is still terrific,” Brooks added.
One in 88 children have autism and one in 59 are boys, according to Autism Speaks.
“It’s getting worse, we need to help those who are affected,” Puzella expressed. “We want people with Autism to feel welcomed.”
People need to recognize and understand Autism, she added. These families want to go out in public and enjoy themselves, she said.
“Except it’s hard,” Brooks said.
Puzella said their first goal is to have a business or homeowner just hang up a sign or add something blue to create awareness, but even the smallest donation of money from a business’ change jar will add up.
Brooks is very organized when it comes to his work with raising awareness for Autism, he even went and picked out blue notebooks for himself and Puzella to keep track of all the progress they make with their efforts in Summit.
Brooks said he hopes a lot of businesses and people will participate, which they can do by putting a blue light on or wearing blue around town. He made sure to add that anyone who is interested in participating should contact Sweet Nothings at 908-522-0888.
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