CARING COMMUNITIES

Fanwood teen presents $10,500 to Autism New Jersey

Mallory Banks, 14, a resident of Fanwood, presented a check on May 10 for $10,500 in donations raised during an April music festival at Fanwood’s LaGrande Park to Autism New Jersey in the name of her brother, Ethan, who has autism.

The check was presented to Ellen Schisler, director of development and marketing for Autism New Jersey, a statewide network of parents and professionals seeking to better the lives of people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The presentation was made at the Stage House Restaurant in Scotch Plains, where the Banks family hosted a celebratory dinner.

Mallory, with the assistance of her parents, Gina and Jeff Banks, friends and volunteers, has raised more than $20,000 in recent years, beginning with bake sales and culminating in the music festival April 16. The event attracted hundreds of people and generated $7,880 on site in donations and raffles. An additional $2,620 was raised online.