Making a big difference

Sitting in Little Tikes chairs behind two Little Tikes tables, four Hewlett Children did a big thing by raising money to benefit a school for autistic children.

Outside the Key Food supermarket on Railroad Avenue in Woodmere, Kaitlyn Artusa, 11, Emma Gartenstein, 10, Michael Artusa, 9, and Tyler Ruvulo, 9, sold lemonade, cookies and raffles for prizes from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 26.

Kaitlyn began raising money for charitable causes four years ago as a 7-year old, when the charity was Have a Heart. For the past three years she and others have collected money for the Ascent School for Autism in Deer Park. Kaitlyn's best friend Emma has a twin brother Matthew, who is autistic and attends the school.

"Because I like to help kids that can't do stuff such as ride bikes," said Kaitlyn, explaining why she began organizing the fundraiser.s.

Their parents purchased some of cookies that were sold and the children made the lemonade, they also received assistance from Friendlier Restaurant-Pizzeria (where the kids ate lunch), Rolling River Day Camp, Matty's Toy Stop and Mother's Kelly's Pizza and Restaurant for the raffle prizes. J. Levy Moving & Storage of Inwood donated $50.

Being the best sister she can be is Emma's way of helping her brother handle the differences between them. "It is hard for me, But I understand because I love him for who he is," she said, adding that helping with the fundraiser is, "fun and a great thing to do with my friends."

Not only did Key Food allow the kids to set up outside the store, but they donated the Entemann's cookies that were sold, bottled water and ice, and donated $20.

The challenge was staying out of the sun, according to Lauren Gartenstein, Emma and Matthew's mother. A beach umbrella brought a bit later by Gartenstein solved that problem.

"It's fun and help's people with autism," said Michael, who has helped his sister these past years.

Recruited to keep Michael company, Tyler poured the lemonade for a few contributors and explained what he and the others were doing. "I am here to help make a difference and raise money for kids with autism," he said.

The children, who wanted to thank everyone who contributed, raised $550 (with a little more expected in pledges) and all of it will benefit the private, non-profit Ascent School that provides care for 24 students. "That if we can work together we can make a difference," is what Kaitlyn said she learned from doing these fundraisers.