Fanwood 11-Year-Old Raised $2,300 For Autism Awareness

Mallory Banks, a 5th grader at Terrill Middle School held her third Autism Awareness Bake Sale last weekend and raised $2,300. 

The 11-year-old is a 2013 Autism Awareness Junior Ambassador. Last Saturday, Banks and her friends and family hosted the bake sale at Parker Gardens in Scotch Plains. In her first year, Banks raised $500, last year she raised $2,000 and this year, she raised a whopping $2,300. In 2012, Banks was one of only two children in the state of New Jersey to raise $2,000 and was recognized by Autism Speaks with a special award.

"My older brother Ethan has autism and I believe that it is important to educate the community about autism and help in any way that I can to support fundraising for autism," Banks wrote Patch. "Because my mom works full time and I go to school, we sent many e-mails out to our friends asking them to help us bake for this important cause. Our friends and neighbors baked a ton of desserts and my friends and I sold them at Parker Gardens on Sat, 4/27."

In addition to the bake sale, Banks also hosted a raffle featuring local vendors including Fabio's Bistro, Fanwood Bagel, JCC of Central Jersey, Apple Blossom, Guillotine Salon and Spa, Tinga, Frank's Auto Body, Oh'Brian's Pourhouse, Darby Road, Ginger Sushi, Diva Nail, Roman Boutique, Sun Tavern, Dairy Queen, Double Dipper, Rockin' Joes of Millburn and Stage House. Nick's Pizza and Deli of Fanwood also sold pizza pies at the fundraiser and donated half of their sales to the event.