CAARE Organization Corp was started informally in 2005 when the first annual “Cool Night by the Sea” was organized raising over $6,000 for autism research. In the summer of 2006, Kerri Tufano, President, Sharon Edwards, Vice President, and Hayden Cantwell, Secretary, completed the incorporation process in order to expand the scope of their work into the educational side of the autism issue as well as do more work increasing awareness of autism. The second annual "Cool Night By The Sea" was a huge success raising $20,000 for Autism Speaks. We were equally successful in 2008 raising $20,000 for Nassau/Suffolk Autism Society of America providing vital programs for families coping with autism. We were also able to sponsor five campers with autism at Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck's summer program.
CAARE has begun talking with a local school district to improve and expand its current autism program. CAARE is also in the process of planning its second annual “Cool Night by the Sea” event in order to raise money for Autism Speaks and support promising biomedical and genetic research.
In the future, CAARE hopes to continue to support organizations whom fund critical research in the area of autism as well as expand its’ work with school districts increasing the number of programs available and improving current programs, all while increasing awareness of this devastating disorder.
Kerri Tufano…
has a BA in Early Childhood Education and a MA in Special Education/Early Intervention. The diagnosis of her nephew and the difficulty in finding adequate schooling encountered by her sister’s family inspired her to work to improve and expand educational services in the area of autism.
Sharon Edwards…
has a son diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The diagnosis changed her life and has motivated her to help find a cure for this devastating disorder.
Hayden Cantwell...
has noticed an increase in the number of her friends and family having children with developmental disorders. Now starting a family of her own, she is motivated to help with the fight against autism.
