Broadway's Jelani Remy, Apollo Link and More Set for NNJ Autism Speaks Walk This May

The New Jersey Chapter of Autism Speaks, the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, will host the 2016 Northern New Jersey Autism Speaks Walk on Sunday, May 22 at Metlife Stadium.

Proceeds will support Autism Speaks' mission: To fund research into the causes, prevention, and treatments for autism; to increase awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocate for the needs of people with autism and their families in New Jersey and beyond.

The day will include:

- A 1.5-mile walk around the stadium concourse

- Community Resource Fair to connect families with local educational resources, therapists, recreational programs and child-friendly activities

- Gabrielle Ruiz from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Jelani Remy from Broadway's The Lion King will be greeting Grand Club VIPs in the MetLife 50 Club for participants who raise $1,000 or more.

- Apollo Link (an a capella trio featuring Brandon Rubendall - Spider-Man, Anything Goes, Wicked, Adam Roberts - Spider-Man, Pippin, and Jake Odmark - Spider- Man, Kinky Boots) and Jersey Sound will be performing live onstage

- Children's activities including a moon bounce, rock wall, drum circle, yoga, games and crafts

Local sponsors of the walk include: Solgar, Bob's Discount Furniture, Investors Bank, Belleville School District, Kohl's Cares, Fort Lee P.B.A. Local 245, Curemark, Standard & Poor's, Knights of Pythias, Atlantic Uniform Company, Wood Ridge Fire Department, and Glenmark Pharmaceuticals.

In-kind sponsors of the walk include: News 12, 106.7 Lite FM, Meadowlands USA, NJ Kids, Meadowlands Racetrack, Jersey Sound, Stop & Shop, Whole Foods, Goodie Girl, Homefree, and J&J Snacks.

Alpha Xi Delta serves as the North American sponsor of Autism Speaks Walk. Since 2009, Alpha Xi Delta has raised more than $4 million dollars for Autism Speaks, and they currently walk and volunteer at Autism Speaks Walk events nationwide. Alpha Xi Delta's work not only generates vital funds for autism research, but also raises awareness for autism.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently estimates that 1 in 68 American children are diagnosed with autism -- including 1 in 42 boys -- making it one of the fastest-growing developmental disorders in the country. Autism Speaks addresses the needs of families with free online tool kits, as well as resources for education, housing, and employment. The majority of Autism Speaks' funding goes toward research into causes and treatments of the disorder.

To learn more, visit AutismSpeaksWalk.org/NNJ.

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