Lafayette Hill Couple Hold Autism Fundraiser

 Friends of Celi, a Lafayette Hill-based foundation benefiting Autism research , will hold its third annual fundraising event on Friday, January 27, 2012 from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at The Knowlton Mansion in Northeast Philadelphia. 

The inspiration for the event is Cecelia Schmidt, who was diagnosed with Autism at the age of two.

Cecelia’s parents, Megan and Ed, began this fundraiser to raise awareness about the developmental disease.

In addition to their goal of raising $25,000 this year, the Schmidts say they’re focusing on expanding their base of support beyond the local community. 

“The generosity of our friends and family has been impressive," Megan said. "Moving forward, we’re looking to increase our network of supporters."

New additions to this year’s event include raffles for weeklong shore house rentals, a foursome for the Timothy School Golf Outing at the Penn Oaks Golf Club in West Chester, weekend getaways to both Las Vegas and Miami, a Penn State football package including tickets to a game, tailgating and a rental house, Philadelphia sports tickets, and more.

If you are interested in supporting Friends of Celi and Autism research but are unable to attend, you can make a donation on the “fund raising benefit” page of the Friends of Celi website.

Admission to the event is a $100 donation per person and includes dinner, an open bar and live music provided by The Slippery Band. Proceeds will go to the Center for Autism Research (CAR) at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). For more information about Friends of Celi, or to interview Megan Schmidt, please contact Elizabeth Trubey at 484-532-7783 or etrubey@defaziocommunications.com.