‘A Stand for Autism’

It’s not often that a 10-year-old comes up with an idea to raise money for charity. But one Hewlett Elementary School student did just that three years ago.

Ten-year-old Kaitlyn Artusa wanted to do something to help out her best friend Emma Gartenstein’s autistic twin brother and the two always enjoyed playing store outside their Hewlett homes.

“I always wanted to do a lemonade stand and my friend Emma wanted to do it with me,” Kaitlyn said. “We just wanted to raise the money because Emma’s twin brother is autistic. It feels really good that I’m helping out.”

The 3rd annual “A Stand for Autism” charity event recently took place in front of Key Food in Woodmere. Manning the lemonade stand for third straight year, along with Kaitlyn and Emma, were Kaitlyn’s younger brother Michael Artusa and his best friend Jason Barry.

“I’m just really happy that I can I help out my brother and maybe one day they’ll find a cure,” Emma said. “Being out there and selling stuff is fun and it’s for a good cause. I just think it’s fun being with my friends and raising money for children with autism.”

Matthew Gartenstein, Emma’s autistic brother, also sat with the children as they sold lemonade, water, cookies and raffles tickets for nearly six hours. “I was happy that he was there,” Emma said. “I love being with him so it made me really happy. I just love being around him. It made me feel really good about what we were doing.”

Kaitlyn and Michael’s grandmother, Carol Artusa, said she believes the children run the lemonade stand for the right reasons. “They tell me that their grateful that they’re able to help Matthew and children like Matthew to become a little more productive,” Artusa said. “The kids get so much satisfaction from this. They know they’re doing a wonderful thing and they feel good about it. It’s nice to see children their ages thinking about other children or people that need help.”

Michael said his favorite part of the day was when a large group of customers came to the stand and him and his friends started “making a lot of money.”

“I feel good because I helped people that need help because they have autism,” Michael said. “I felt like I was doing a good thing for people who have autism.”

Jason, who attends Ogden Elementary school, added, “It was really fun because I got to hang out with my friends and do this. It’s cool being out with my friends and doing something for a good cause.”

The event raised $804, with 100 percent of the proceeds being donated to Ascent, a private, non-profit school for children diagnosed with autism and atypical pervasive developmental disorders, in Deer Park which Matthew attends. The school provides a full-day, 12-month academic and behavioral treatment program to preschool and school age children ranging in age from 3 to 21 years.

Dr. Nancy Shamou, executive director of Ascent, said she truly admires all the work the children have done for the school. She added that the money is especially important because the school is struggling to survive. “I think it’s truly remarkable that a group of children have assumed the responsibility of raising funds to help our school,” Shamou said. “We’re grateful for their effort and the generosity of local businesses who helped them make a difference in the lives of children with autism.”

Along with the lemonade, water and cookies, much of the money raised came from raffle tickets, which were sold for $1 a piece. The winners received gift certificates from business such as Mother Kelley’s, Rite Aid, Friendlier Pizza, Maddy’s Toy Shop, Verizon, and Jay Levy and Sons Moving and Storage.

Artusa said she is extremely proud of all the kids hard work. “The event is a good lesson for them because they are taught to think of other people and realize how lucky they are,” she said. “This is their way of showing how much they care about their friend’s brother and other children who are ill. They want other kids to be able to do the things they can do.”

All the children said they enjoyed being with one another, working for the greater good.

“I felt good because it’s for a good cause,” Jason said, “and I really like to help people. I am really happy because it’s for a good cause and I wanted to help.”

“It feels really good that I am helping out,” Kaitlyn added. “I’m just really proud that I’m helping Emma’s brother and his school.”

Emma said the best part of the whole event was when her and her friends added up all the money and finally knew how much they raised for Matthew’s school. “It was fun being with my friends and raising money for children with autism like my brother,” she said. “I hope it helps find a cure.”

Paul Shapiro did the reporting for this story. Comments about it? NassauEditor@ liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 201.