Wednesday, August 15, 2007 York Weekly
From left, Justin Kane, Karen Crystal, her son, Gabe Crystal, and Cindy Ziobrowski stand outside the Kittery Trading Post on Saturday. The group is preparing for "Rolling for Autism," a 2,000-mile, fund-raising skate for Autism ending at Kittery Trading Post on Aug. 19.
YORK Six students and recent graduates of Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., and the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vt., will be rolling into Kittery on Aug. 19 literally.
The students are completing a 54-day, 2,000-mile in-line skating journey that began in Amelia Island, Fla., to help raise awareness and funds for autism education.
Traveling through Savannah, Ga., Charleston, S.C., Washington, D.C., New York and Boston, the Rolling for Autism team held events to help raise awareness about a developmental disorder affecting close to 4 million Americans. The money they have raised will go toward providing scholarships to help families access educational services for their autistic children.
York's Cindy Ziobrowski, director of Camp CARD NE in South Berwick, a nonprofit organization that runs an enrichment program for children with an autism spectrum disorder, is organizing the finish-line event at the Kittery Trading Post on Aug. 19.
"It's going to be such a great event," said Ziobrowski. "There is really great stuff that is going on in the Seacoast area for autism, but many parents need financial help to access it."
Ziobrowski is excited that the Rolling for Autism team has taken on the challenge to help these families. "Their goal is to raise half a million dollars this summer," she said. "The money will go to scholarships so that these kids and their families don't have such an isolated life."
Rolling for Autism was started by 2007 Union College graduate Dan Tatar.
Tatar said he has long been inspired by his brother Ben Tatar, who overcame obstacles presented by autism to accomplish goals in areas including writing and athletics.
Sunday's finish line event at the Kittery Trading Post will feature a victory lap with the Rolling for Autism team.
"Everybody, especially kids, is welcome to join the team on in-line skates, on bicycles or on foot," said Ziobrowski. The victory lap is scheduled for 9:30 a.m.
Other events scheduled for the day include a book signing with Karen Crystal, author of the new book, "Navigating Through Autism"; pony rides and face painting for the kids; a skate demonstration at Rye Airfield; and information booths staffed by local organizations serving children with autism, including the Birchtree Center of Portsmouth and Autism Rescue and Resource Outreach.
A highlight of the event will be a raffle featuring authentic NASCAR items.
"Troy Prince, who is a tire-changer for NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip, has given us some car parts, two limited-edition posters signed by the late Dale Earnhardt, jackets from pit crew members and other exciting NASCAR items," said Ziobrowski. The NASCAR raffle will be held between 9 a.m. and noon.
International motivational speaker Deb Lipsky, an adult with autism, will speak beginning at noon.
The event has limited seating and requires advance reservations that are available for $10 by calling 363-3193. A late luncheon will be held at Roberts Restaurant in Kittery with the Rolling for Autism team, Deb Lipsky and Karen Crystal.
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