By DONALD WITTKOWSKI
Anyone who was standing on Sea Isle City’s oceanfront Promenade on Saturday would have noticed the members of “Leila’s A Team.”
Clad in bright orange shirts, the 61 team members stood out among the thousands of participants and spectators who came to raise money for the annual Mike’s Seafood Run-Walk for Autism.
One particularly touching moment was when Anthony DeJoseph, a 9-year-old third grader who has autism, lovingly held a photo of his late mother, Leila DeJoseph, the namesake for Leila’s A Team.
Justin DeJoseph, Anthony’s father, said his family has participated in the Mike’s Seafood Run-Walk for Autism seven years in a row. Sadly, this was the first time the family was without his wife, Leila, who died last August.
“It’s the No. 1 thing on our mind – getting the word out for autism awareness,” Justin said.
Justin DeJoseph, the owner of a mortgage company, lives in Delran, N.J., and has a summer vacation home in Sea Isle. He said he planned to personally match the money that the members of Leila’s A Team raised for autism awareness Saturday.
Altogether, an estimated 3,500 to 4,000 participants and spectators showed up for the 16th annual Mike’s Seafood Run-Walk for Autism, which is organized by Sea Isle residents and restaurant owners Mike Monichetti and his wife, Jeannie.
Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro and Pro-Bowl center Jason Kelce, who owns a vacation home in Sea Isle, made an appearance when he participated in the event’s 5K run on the Promenade.
The Monichettis were astonished that thousands of people braved the frigid temperatures and light snow that fell on Sea Isle on Friday night and into Saturday morning.
“Even with the weather, the crowd has been very enthusiastic. They’ve all come out for a great cause in raising funds and supporting people with disabilities,” Mike said.
“It makes us feel great that so many people turned out in this weather to support this cause,” Jeannie added.
The Monichettis, have four children, including two who have autism, Kara, who will soon turn 23, and Michael Jr., 21. Having autistic children and knowing the challenges that parents with autistic children face on a daily basis served as their inspiration for starting the fundraiser.
Over its 16-year history, the run-walk has raised more than $1 million for autism-related causes. This year’s event was expected to raise $125,000 or more, Mike Monichetti said.
Monichetti has established a broad network of supporters over the years, including private donors, city officials, the business community, corporations, schools, churches, civic organizations, autism groups and many others. Each year, he is touched by their generosity.
Monichetti said the fundraiser would not have become as successful as it is now without the strong backing of the city. He personally thanked Mayor Leonard Desiderio for the city’s support.
“We are blessed to have you as mayor and to have Sea Isle bless this event,” Monichetti said to Desiderio as he stood next to him.
“Mike, we love you and Jeannie and what you do,” Desiderio replied.
The fundraiser traditionally benefits autism support groups, special services schools and families of special needs children.
Jessica Versage and Michele Ridgway, who were part of Saturday’s event, are high school teachers at the Cape May County Special Services School District. Both of them teach students with a wide range of disabilities, including autism, so it was particularly important for them to support the fundraiser.
“They need us. They need our support,” Versage said of people with autism.
Versage and Ridgway were dressed in heavy coats, gloves and hats for protection against the cold weather. Despite the chilly conditions, they said they didn’t hesitate in taking part in the event as members of a fundraising team.
“There was not a doubt in mind about coming,” Ridgway said.
The run-walk serves as the centerpiece of Sea Isle’s Presidents Day celebration, a time when thousands of visitors traditionally head to the shore for a winter getaway weekend of shopping, dining and family-friendly activities.
People of all ages took part on Saturday, including young families pushing baby strollers and dog lovers walking their pooches. Most of the walkers were bundled up in coats, gloves, hats and scarves when the event began at noon under cloudy skies and temperatures in the 30s.
Following the run and walk, an awards ceremony and after-party featuring family-friendly entertainment were held in large, heated tents in Excursion Park next to the Promenade.
