The Jigsaw Run, held April 24, was the 10th year for the event, and it attracted about over 1,000 participants and raised over $30,000 in the fight against autism.
The run/walk started at the East Islip Marina, and the proceeded down Bayview Avenue. The run's host was the EJ Autism Foundation.
Bea Huste-Petersen said 1,140 people took part, enjoying the antics of an Elvis impersonator stationed at the halfway point of the race. The men's overall winner was 17-year-old Nicholas Pandolfo of Holbrook, while Leonora Petrina of Bayport took the women's title. Many of the walkers and runners, who no doubt came from Central Islip and other local areas, participated as part of a team, running on behalf of friends and family members who have autistic children.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately one child in 68 is diagnosed as being somewhere on the autism spectrum. Autistic individuals have impaired social interaction skills and sometimes poor communication abilities, though the severity of symptoms differs greatly from person to person. The run was held not only to raise money, but to increase awareness of autism in general.
Event organizers might consider working with a brochure printing company on a booklet that contains pictures from this year's event and asks participants to save the date for next year. The booklet could also contain information about autism.
