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On Sunday, May 4, more than 1,000 cyclists, families, volunteers, donors and sponsors attended the 5th Annual Go the Distance for Autism Bike Event at the Westfield Garden State Plaza. Riders of all ages cycled more than 15,000 miles and raised over $880,000 to support the educational programs for learners with autism at Alpine Learning Group, The EPIC School, Garden Academy and REED Academy.

Go the Distance for Autism is pleased to announce that Anthony Fasano, tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs will attend the bike event on Sunday, May 4, 2014 at the Westfield Garden State Plaza. Fasano will host a meet & greet and take photos with guests, signing autographs. Attendees will also be treated to an interactive football toss with the NFL star in the family fun zone from 12pm – 2pm.

Every April, businesses, individuals and organizations around the world celebrate Autism Awareness Month with unique fundraising and awareness-raising events to show support for the autism community. This year, four schools from Northern New Jersey will once again join forces and combine their fundraising efforts to produce the Fifth Annual Go the Distance for Autism Bike Event on Sunday, May 4, 2014 at Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus, NJ. The fundraising efforts of Alpine Learning Group, The EPIC School, Garden Academy and REED Academy are particularly timely in light of the recent announcement of the new autism prevalence numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), indicating 1 in 68 children (1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls) as having autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Registration is now open for the Fifth Annual Go the Distance for Autism Bike Event, to be held on Sunday, May 4 at the Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus, NJ. The event is a collaborative effort by four northern New Jersey schools for individuals with autism – Alpine Learning Group in Paramus, The EPIC School in Paramus, Garden Academy in Maplewood and REED Academy in Oakland. In the past four years, participants have ridden over 49,000 miles and raised nearly $3 million for autism education and treatment programs for children and adults with autism.

Go the Distance for Autism announced that the ELIJA School and STRIVE COMMUNITY will each receive $7,500 to develop behavioral education programs for individuals with autism. New York and New Jersey organizations serving the autism community were eligible to apply for this competitive grant.

New Jersey’s First Lady Mary Pat Christie has voiced her support of Go the Distance for Autism by becoming Honorary Co-Chair of the May 5 bike event. The First Lady has taken a leading role in embracing autism awareness since 2011, focusing many of her efforts on highlighting the innovative work being done by organizations throughout the state to help learners with autism and their families. Governor Christie and his Administration are committed to finding new and innovative ways to help New Jersey families impacted by autism.

In the past three years, participants of the Go the Distance for Autism Bike Event have ridden over 37,000 miles and raised more than $1,900,000 for autism education. In continued support of this impressive initiative, a host of local businesses are stepping up to the plate to sponsor the event for a fourth round.

Designated as National Autism Awareness Month in 1970, April brings together businesses, individuals and organizations to show support for the autism community, raise funds for research, and promotes the rights of individuals with autism, encouraging respect for their differences.