Annual House Tour to Benefit Autism Awareness, May 3, 2014

In just a couple of days, Keller Williams Premier Properties of Essex, Union, and Morris Counties will be opening the doors to many top properties in town for you to tour.  It is a great opportunity to be able to walk through some of the most beautiful mansions and homes in the area, at your own pace.

This Saturday, May 3rd from 12-3pm you can tour 6 beautiful examples of prime Short Hills, NJ Real Estate ranging in price from $1.5M-$4M.

The Annual House Tour to Benefit Autism Awareness is on its second year and going strong. Last year, with the generous contribution and participation from town members and local friends, we contributed money to help create 300 Autism New Jersey's Classroom Resource Kits which went into New Jersey public schools. This year, we are beyond happy that 100% of ALL house tour ticket purchases and donations will go DIRECTLY to the Millburn Public School System. That means, all the money fundraised will go into local classrooms for our children!  Each tour ticket pays for half of one kit!

Autism New Jersey has paced the way for building acceptance and autism awareness.  They are tops in providing tools and resources in NJ classrooms to help foster understanding. There is no known cure for Autism, and with 1 in 45 children in New Jersey being diagnosed, it is extremely important to integrate early intervention and provide resources for our community to support acceptance of others.  

Here is a picture of what exactly comes inside of every kit:

Help directly make a difference in our local community!

To purchase tickets or to make a donation please visit Eventbrite.

We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you on Saturday!

Autism NJ Rocks/ New House Tour Date

The other day in the mail came this splendid white box that looked like a delightful present.  And it was!

The box contained Autism NJ's classroom kit which we helped raise money for from the House Tour Benefiting Autism and Keller Williams Realty's Red Day.

The kit designed for teachers contains booklets in kid speak of autism facts, brief lesson plans which teach "students will understand that everyone has different abilities", posters, pencils, autism ribbon tattoos, book marks, decorations, and more, all for a classroom with 25 students in grades K thru 5.                        

This kit will help spread autism awareness throughout the community, just in time for Autism Awareness Month in April.

Autism affects 1 in 45 children in New Jersey.  It is a socialization & communication disorder.  There is a range and a spectrum within the disorder.  Behaving independently and appropriately are some of the biggest goals of people on the spectrum.

I spoke with Brynn Alberici, Special Event Coordinator at Autism New Jersey, and was thrilled that the next House Tour coming in May will now help create kits especially for Millburn Township.  Appropriately so, since the tour was planned by "Real Short Hills" and the homes on the tour were in Short Hills, which is a part of Millburn Township.

Thank you to Autism New Jersey for creating such an amazing resource to help spread Autism Awareness within Millburn Public Schools.   Last year Autism NJ's theme was to "Build Acceptance" and this year their theme is to "Make a Statement".  Mine is "Thank You"!!!

Please look for more information for the next house tour, and attend this great event for this awesome cause.  The next Tour is on Saturday, May 3rd from 12noon - 3pm.

Best,
Melanie

Autism Awareness Club Holds Successful Fundraiser At Soul Cycle

The Millburn High School Autism Awareness Club held a different kind of fundraiser, cleverly titled "The Awareness Cycle".  Members of the Millburn-Short Hills community hopped on a Soul Cycle bike for an intense spin class to raise awareness.  Soul Cycle generously sponsored the event at the newly opened Short Hills boutique studio on Feb. 7.  The participants raised over $1,400 while possibly burning the same amount of calories in a celebrity favorite Soul Cycle signature ride. The class, which is centered around community, brought town students, parents, the High School principal, along with members of the school board to sweat together for a good cause.

Photo from The Independent Press.
Principal Miron and students pictured together after the fundraising ride.

While Soul Cycle may not be a work out for everyone it was wonderful at creating a space for community to come together by encouraging each other to push through resistance and come out stronger. Julia Truitt, the high school senior and President of the club has created an organization that is dedicated to spreading a message of compassion, understanding and most importantly inclusion.  She has been honored in the past for her efforts at promoting awareness and fostering community. She did an amazing job with planning this successful event!  Her mother, Regina Truitt is a member of the School Board and is also focused on building a strong sense of community in town. We are lucky to have them both so actively contributing to our school district.  I was delighted to have participated and to have been a part of such a strong knit community that supports one another.


The Autism Awareness club will be hosting more events for Autism Awareness Month in April.

Keller Williams Premier Properties and Real Short Hills will also be hosting the second annual House Tour to Benefit Autism Awareness.  

For more information about the house tour, visit Real Short Hills.

Autism NJ's Classroom Kits for our Schools

Any question, just reach out to me!

This is it!  These are the kits that we helped raise money for from the Keller Williams Realty House Tour Benefitting Autism.  It takes 1 minute to register and it is completely free.  Go thru the link below to find Autism NJ's direct sign up which is copied below.  The kits will provide an abundance of resources to help spread autism awareness for April for teachers.   Inside the kits will be booklets that educate the kids on autism, posters from Autism NJ to celebrate Autism Awareness month in April, decorations, tattoos, give aways, etc.  Spread autism awareness and have your teachers register for these wonderful free kit!          

https://autismnj.org/school_resource_pack

School Resource Pack:
Free Awareness Tools for Teachers

The School Resource Pack contains all the tools needed for an elementary school teacher (Grades K to 5) to raise awareness in his/her classroom and includes supplies for a 24 student classroom.  Expected ship date of Packs is March 1, 2014.  

Pack Contents

• Kids Booklet on Autism (Qty: 24)
• Bookmarks (Qty: 24)
• Temporary Autism Awareness Tattoos (Qty:24)
• Pencils with Autism Awareness Message (Qty: 24)
• Lesson Plans for Teacher
• Autism Awareness Poster
• Puzzle Piece Bulletin Board Decoration (Thank you to Becker School Supplies!)

Ordering Information

To request your free Autism Awareness Resource pack, complete the form below.  Limit one (1) pack per classroom.  Grades K-5 only.  Only New Jersey schools are eligible to participate.  Supplies are limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.  Thank you to our sponsors (left) for underwriting the cost of the production and distribution of these materials!

Questions?  Email us at aamonth@autismnj.org or call 609.588.8200 x31.  Click here to view other items autism awareness items available for order. 

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School Resource Pack Form

Teacher Contact Info

Prefix  <Select>  Mr.  Ms.  Mrs.  Dr. 

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Phone

Grade  <Select>  Kindergarten  1st  2nd  3rd  4th  5th  *

Shipping Address -- Where we will mail pack

School Name*

Street Line 1*

Street Line 2

City*

State  <Select>  New Jersey  *

Click to view help for this field.

Zip Code*

If you live near Trenton/Robbinsville and would like to pick up your Reource Pack at Autism New Jersey's office, check the box below.

Yes, I can pick up the pack!

Below, these"Ambassador" kits are actually appropriate for ANYONE (parents, administrators, teachers) and go along well with the above classroom kits which are geared toward K-5 teachers.  The classroom kits were sponsored by a House Tour with Keller Williams Premier Properties of Morris, Essex, and Union Counties, and these particular ambassador kits below are from Autism NJ for ANYONE to help spread autism awareness. 

Registration Now Open:  2014 Ambassador Program

Dear Melanie: Thank you for your past participation as an Autism New Jersey Awareness Ambassador. Believe it or not, April, National Autism Awareness Month, will be here before we know it!   Registration is now open for our 2014 Autism Awareness Ambassador Program. Make A Statement This year, our Awareness Ambassador Program theme is "Make a Statement."   Put your unique stamp on your message and help us raise awareness and build communities that embrace and accept people with autism and their families. Sign Up Today:  You can join us again in our 2014 campaign by signing up as an Autism Awareness Ambassador. Please note: You must register again this year to participate and receive your information kit.  Expect the new kit to arrive by late January. Program Features: Every Ambassador receives our free kit, including poster, bookmark and Kids Booklet. Ideas and activities for all ages, from school-aged children to adults.  Special sections for Educators and Junior Ambassadors (K to 12). Check out our updated Autism Awareness Ambassador "Hub" where you can post photos, videos, event announcements, download publications, link to other resources and connect with other ambassadors and friends.   We encourage all of our ambassadors to keep us informed of their activities and events so we can share them with others. Email us at aamonth@autismnj.org or call 609.588.8200 ext. 21. Thank you for your continued participation in spreading awareness about autism and making a statement about the importance of autism awareness and acceptance in your community. 2014 Awareness "Keep Calm and Raise Autism Awareness" T-shirts now Available: Order Today! We are pleased to be partnering with Spectrum Works, a nonprofit social enterprise that provides job training and employment to individuals with autism, for the production of this year's shirt. Check out our T-shirt and other awareness items, they make a great holiday gift! Sincerely, Your Friends at Autism New Jersey P.S.  Pre-order our new 2014 Autism Awareness Shirts today!  Just $15. Visit our hub:  www.autismnjambassador.org

Thank you to the Toys"R"Us Children's Fund for their grant funding in sponsorship of this program.

Autism New Jersey 500 Horizon Drive, Suite 530 Robbinsville, NJ 08691 Phone: 609.588.8200  |  Fax: 609.588.8858  |  Email: information@autismnj.org Privacy Policy  |  Email Preferences © 2013 Autism New Jersey

Dear Melanie:

Thank you for signing up to become a 2014 Autism Awareness Ambassador. We look forward to your participation in helping to spread awareness during National Autism Awareness Month in April 2014 and "Make a Statement" in your community.

Kits will be mailed in mid-January.  

For any questions or to request additional materials, please email us at aamonth@autismnj.org or call us at 609.588.8200 x31 between 9:00am and 4:30pm Monday to Friday.

  

******************************

The following information was recorded for your registration: 

 Ambassador/Junior Ambassador
NAME: Melanie Rosenbaum

On behalf of Autism New Jersey, thank you again for registering to be an 2014 Autism Awareness Ambassador and working to make a positive statement in your community! 

Your Friends at Autism New Jersey
www.autismnj.org
www.facebook.com/autismnj

---

Check out our 2014 Ambassador Hub at www.autismnjambassador.org where you can post your photos, videos and events and connect with other ambassadors interested in raising awareness.

Don't forget to order your 2014 Autism Awareness Shirt and other items online today.  Proceeds benefit Autism New Jersey.

Autism NJ's Classroom Resource Kits vs. Ambassador Kits

These "Ambassador" kits are actually appropriate for ANYONE (parents, administrators, teachers) and go along well with the classroom kits which are geared toward K-5 teachers.  The classroom kits are the kits that the House Tour helped raise money to support. 

Registration Now Open:  2014 Ambassador Program

Dear Melanie: Thank you for your past participation as an Autism New Jersey Awareness Ambassador. Believe it or not, April, National Autism Awareness Month, will be here before we know it!   Registration is now open for our 2014 Autism Awareness Ambassador Program. Make A Statement This year, our Awareness Ambassador Program theme is "Make a Statement."   Put your unique stamp on your message and help us raise awareness and build communities that embrace and accept people with autism and their families. Sign Up Today:  You can join us again in our 2014 campaign by signing up as an Autism Awareness Ambassador. Please note: You must register again this year to participate and receive your information kit.  Expect the new kit to arrive by late January. Program Features: Every Ambassador receives our free kit, including poster, bookmark and Kids Booklet. Ideas and activities for all ages, from school-aged children to adults.  Special sections for Educators and Junior Ambassadors (K to 12). Check out our updated Autism Awareness Ambassador "Hub" where you can post photos, videos, event announcements, download publications, link to other resources and connect with other ambassadors and friends.   We encourage all of our ambassadors to keep us informed of their activities and events so we can share them with others. Email us at aamonth@autismnj.org or call 609.588.8200 ext. 21. Thank you for your continued participation in spreading awareness about autism and making a statement about the importance of autism awareness and acceptance in your community. 2014 Awareness "Keep Calm and Raise Autism Awareness" T-shirts now Available: Order Today! We are pleased to be partnering with Spectrum Works, a nonprofit social enterprise that provides job training and employment to individuals with autism, for the production of this year's shirt. Check out our T-shirt and other awareness items, they make a great holiday gift! Sincerely, Your Friends at Autism New Jersey P.S.  Pre-order our new 2014 Autism Awareness Shirts today!  Just $15. Visit our hub:  www.autismnjambassador.org

Thank you to the Toys"R"Us Children's Fund for their grant funding in sponsorship of this program.

Autism New Jersey 500 Horizon Drive, Suite 530 Robbinsville, NJ 08691 Phone: 609.588.8200  |  Fax: 609.588.8858  |  Email: information@autismnj.org Privacy Policy  |  Email Preferences © 2013 Autism New Jersey

Dear Melanie:

Thank you for signing up to become a 2014 Autism Awareness Ambassador. We look forward to your participation in helping to spread awareness during National Autism Awareness Month in April 2014 and "Make a Statement" in your community.

Kits will be mailed in mid-January.  

For any questions or to request additional materials, please email us at aamonth@autismnj.org or call us at 609.588.8200 x31 between 9:00am and 4:30pm Monday to Friday.

  

******************************

The following information was recorded for your registration: 

 Ambassador/Junior Ambassador
NAME: Melanie Rosenbaum

On behalf of Autism New Jersey, thank you again for registering to be an 2014 Autism Awareness Ambassador and working to make a positive statement in your community! 

Your Friends at Autism New Jersey
www.autismnj.org
www.facebook.com/autismnj

---

Check out our 2014 Ambassador Hub at www.autismnjambassador.org where you can post your photos, videos and events and connect with other ambassadors interested in raising awareness.

Don't forget to order your 2014 Autism Awareness Shirt and other items online today.  Proceeds benefit Autism New Jersey.

Keller Williams Realty Short Hills House Tour Benefiting Autism New Jersey

Yesterday was the 1st Annual Keller Williams Realty Short Hills House Tour Benefiting Autism New Jersey.  The event was a huge success and raised a lot of money to be used to develop Classroom Packs to support teachers in spreading autism awareness and building acceptance of others.  

I felt proud to have been able to contribute to my community in such a unique way, by providing an opportunity for people to see the housing market inventory and have a delightful day out with friends all while helping to provide a means to give teachers tools for extra character education in our schools.  

Everyone involved seemed to enjoy themselves, and some people were even out house hunting.  It seemed to be a "Win - Win", said Cara Moxley, one of the Brokers of Record at Keller Williams Realty.  The tour consisted of six fabulous homes in Short Hills, NJ ranging from approximately $1.5M to $5M.  The concept was well received, and I will definitely do this type of House Tour again in the Fall or in April in honor of  Autism Awareness month.  I am also considering planning this type event in other neighboring towns.  

Let me know if you have any interest in participating in the next tour!!!!!  

171 Tennyson Drive, Short Hills, NJ

Melanie Rosenbaum, Tour Organizer

My new BFF, Polly Tedesco.  She's a House Tour Blogger!
www.foyerist.com
(notice the special detail of the stair case behind me at 171 Tennyson)

Happy participants visiting 173 Tennyson Drive

Keller Williams Realty Sales Associate, Sherri Fischer poses with more happy participants!

Kitchen and Breakfast Area with Built-in Seating at 173 Tennyson Drive

The view you will see everyday when you wake up in your new home - the master bedroom ceiling!

Master Bathroom 

Keller Williams Realty Sales Associate, Emily Hans
points out one of her favorite features in the basement of 173 Tennyson Drive

Caring Kids Millburn Township has arrived!  Sharon Cohen and Kim Moore, Co-Presidents of the strongest character education program ANYWHERE participate in the House Tour!
www.caringkidsmillburn.com

Cara Moxley, Operating Partner of Keller Williams Realty in Summit & Short Hills
Listing Agent of 15 East Lane
I think this is a very special home in a beautiful quiet part of town!

Howard Bunn, Operating Partner of Summit & Short Hills Keller Williams Realty
inside the home at 15 East Lane
to see more check out BunnMoxleyHomes.com

44 Lake Road
Listing Agent, Elizabeth Winterbottom

Keller Williams Realty Sales Associate, Armin Lusinyants
answers questions about the home

A lovely home, on a lovely street in Short Hills.  In fact, I used to live on this street!
425 Long Hill Drive

Keller Williams Realty Sales Associate, Saritte Harel welcomes tour goers into her listing at 30 Robert Drive

Couldn't be prouder!  Pictured left to right:
Dr. Stacey Tavel local Pediatrician and Co-Chair of Cookies for Cancer, Melanie Rosenbaum, Allyson Garbowitz,
Dr. Karen Borofsky, Radiation Oncologist, and Dr. Lisa Pivawer, local Pediatrician
All Short Hills residents!

Thank you so much for your support and donation for Autism NJ's Classroom Packs.

So now that everyone has seen these amazing homes, please help me spread the word to find the special people who will get to live in them!

Best, 

Melanie