Dear Patch Editor:

Dear Patch Editor,

Thank you so much for the acknowledgment the other day in the Patch article.  As President and CEO of Real Short Hills with Keller Williams Luxury, I am pleased to report that the amount donated to the district reflected in the article was only half the amount raised. 

The discrepancy was merely that the 2019 Annual Short Hills Architectural & Real Estate House Tour, raised money throughout the year and provided separate donations to the district at different times. The total amount raised, by this year’s tour, was approximately $6500. The amount donated to date, has been around $45K. 

Autism affects 1 in 34 children in NJ. 

The tour is meant to promote Autism Awareness; and then showcase architecture and design, while providing a pulse on our local real estate market. 

The proceeds from this event help assist the Director of Special Services of Millburn Township Public Schools, Jennifer Sowa, further fund parental and professional development opportunities. 

The money specifically is utilized for 4 key district professionals to attend the Autism NJ‘s official state conference, as well as sending 2 special educators to their main Transition Conference. 

The amount raised each year continually has exceeded the Autism NJ conference fees. Now with these greater funds raised, Sowa provides a speaker series. The topics and reach of this programming goes beyond individuals served by special services, as she invites the entire school district. 

Participates of the tour visit available mansions in Short Hills, and receive a light lunch, other treats, giveaways/door prizes along with literature about autism.  

At this past tour, Sushi was served at one of the houses by Jon Lamkin, from Guaranteed Rate, and all of the literature provided on autism came from the official state autism organization, Autism NJ.

Gold level sponsors of this event included Cara Moxley and Melanie Rosenbaum with Keller Williams, Anthony Verducci with Sotheby’s Prominent Properties, Arlene Gonnella with Weichert Realty, Jon Lamkin of Guaranteed Rate and Matthew Rosenbaum of Simonian Rosenbaum Architects. 

Thank you so much for your interest and acknowledgement.  

Best,

Melanie Rosenbaum

Tour Organizer and Sales Associate

Keller Williams Luxury

Real Short Hills

President/CEO

Real Short Hills House Tour

Autism NJ is the official state organization while Autism Speaks is the official national organization.