Fennelly Associates President Jerry Fennelly was instrumental in starting the Eden Autism 5K & Fun Run/Walk to raise awareness and fundraising support for the nonprofit Eden Autism Services. — Courtesy: Fennelly
By Joshua Burd
Eden Autism Services has recognized Fennelly Associates President Jerry Fennelly for his efforts to help raise $2.8 million over the past two decades.
According to the brokerage firm, Fennelly helped start the Eden Autism 5K & Fun Run/Walk some 20 years ago to raise awareness of the nonprofit in the local community and create a recurring source of fundraising support. That’s been a key driver for the organization, which has spent more than four decades providing support to children and adults with autism and their families.
In addition to Eden, Fennelly has helped several organizations across the Mercer County area create 5K races including Casa New Jersey, the Princeton YMCA and the Parkinson’s Alliance.
“Jerry has given so much of his time and energy to organizations just like ours across our region,” said Melinda McAleer, chief development officer of Eden Autism Services. “As we celebrated our 20th anniversary of this important event, it was an easy decision for us to honor Jerry for his two decades of tireless support.”
According to a study conducted by Rutgers University, the autism rate in New Jersey rose 300 percent between 2000 and 2016, Fennelly noted in a news release. Today, the rate of children identified with autism spectrum disorder in the state is one in 35.
“Making a positive impact on local communities has always been important to me,” said Fennelly, whose firm is based in Hamilton. “The Eden Autism Foundation is a tremendous organization, and it is my honor to be able to support their goals and initiatives with such a fun event.”
Those wishing to donate to the Eden Autism Foundation may click on the “donate” tab on the organization’s website.
