On Sunday, April 28, LaGrande Park hosted Rockin’ for Autism. Organized for a fourth year in a row by a local family, the daylong fundraising event featured an outdoor rock concert hosted by the Borough and co-sponsored by several local businesses donating goods, volunteers, money, and facilities.
This year, event attendees were treated to the longest Rockin’ for Autism concert, yet! The show was headlined by the BStreet Band – the Original Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band performing hits from none other than New Jersey’s favorite rock and roll icon.
The driving force behind this event is Mallory Banks, 17, who began organizing fundraisers at age 9 on behalf of her brother Ethan, who has autism. Originally beginning with bake sales, the event has grown over the years into a regional event that attracts several thousand people to LaGrande Park for a day of food, fun, and great music by local performers.
Mallory’s father Jeff is a Fanwood Councilman, and her mother Gina, a tutor, are also heavily involved in the event’s planning and execution. Together, the Banks family has raised over $50,000 for Autism New Jersey. Learn more and donate to the cause at rockin4autism.org
All proceeds from the event go to Autism New Jersey, a nonprofit agency committed to ensuring safe and fulfilling lives for individuals with autism, their families, and the professionals who support them. Through awareness, credible information, education, and public policy initiatives, Autism New Jersey leads the way to lifelong individualized services provided with skill and compassion.
