Photo by Chris Sykes Nassan's Place autism awareness and services non-profit organization founder Nadine Wright-Arbubakkr announces the $1 million fundraising challenge on Thursday, Sept. 8, at the Community Appreciation Gala at Chateau of Spain Restaurant in downtown Newark. She said if enough people make a $5 donation, then the group can reach its goal to fund initiatives such as leasing or buying a building to serve as a home and expanding programming for the autistic children and their families, whom she serves.
Nassan’s Place autism awareness and services non-profit organization founder Nadine Wright-Arbubakkr announces the $1 million fundraising challenge on Thursday, Sept. 8, at the Community Appreciation Gala at Chateau of Spain Restaurant in downtown Newark. She said if enough people make a $5 donation, then the group can reach its goal to fund initiatives such as leasing or buying a building to serve as a home and expanding programming for the autistic children and their families, whom she serves.
EAST ORANGE, NJ — Nassan’s Place, a local autism awareness and services nonprofit organization, is on a mission to raise $5 million to purchase a building to serve as a home base for its operations.
“One of the biggest things that our families need is an after school program and we need a facility but, like (Newark) Councilwoman (Mildred) Crump said, it takes resources,” Nassan’s Place founder Nadine Wright-Arbubakrr said Thursday, Sept. 8. “From October to January, for 25 to 40 kids, it’s going to cost us well over $100,000. But I’m committed to doing it because, when we get these kids in a program, their parents can go back to work. We want to be able to hire a lot of our parents that can’t work.
“How awesome would it be if we had our own center, where they could work while their children receive the services they need? Nassan’s Place is going to issue a challenge throughout this country. We want to raise $5 million and I know we can do it. Here’s the challenge: If we can get 1 million people to donate $5, how wonderful would it be that we would be able to keep this program going for years?”
So, in addition to several events for families this fall, Nassan’s Place has scheduled two October fundraisers to advance their cause: a general fundraiser on Friday, Oct. 14 and the annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 15, in conjunction with Orange Elks Lodge No. 135 at the lodge on Main Street in Orange, from 6 to 10 p.m.
“I am so pleased to share that TD Bank in West Orange will be accepting donations on behalf of Nassan’s Place on Oct. 14,” said Wright-Arbubakrr.
To make a donation via the bank, visit http://www.tdbringchange.com/state/new-jersey/5149/. Tickets to the Nassan’s Place annual Wine Tasting can be purchased online by visiting www.nassansplace.org or calling 973-424-7781.
On Sunday, Oct. 23, Nassan’s Place will host its annual Masquerade Celebration, in conjunction with the Elks, from 3 to 5 p.m., just in time for Halloween. This will be followed up by a “Sensory Friendly Movie Day” on Saturday, Nov. 5, which features a 10 a.m. screening of the animated movie “Trolls.”
Nassan’s Place’s annual Toy Drive takes place from Nov. 1 to Dec. 11, and will accept all donations toward that. The organization plans to cap off the year with its annual Holiday Celebration on Sunday, Dec. 11, again in partnership with Orange Elks Lodge 35.
Said Wright-Arbubakrr, “Nassan’s Place can’t stop the diagnosis, but we can help the families affected by it.”
About the Author
