Autism Awareness Fundraiser Draws Record Turnout to Sea Isle City

The Mike’s Seafood Run-Walk for Autism was facing two big challenges Saturday for an event that usually draws thousands of participants and spectators to Sea Isle City over Presidents Day weekend.

Mike Monichetti, owner of Mike’s Seafood and organizer of the fundraiser along with his wife, Jeannie, acknowledged that he was worried many people would simply stay home instead of traveling to the shore after a day of partying at the huge Eagles Super Bowl championship parade in Philadelphia.

There was also the dreary forecast that called for a combination of rain, sleet and even some snow mixed in for most of the day, he noted.

However, the crowds mustered up a second wind from the parade and also ignored the forecast to give the autism fundraiser its biggest turnout during its 17-year history.

Monichetti said 2,200 runners and walkers signed up to participate. He estimated that close to 3,000 spectators showed up as well, for a total crowd of about 5,000 people.

“Between the parade and the bad weather, I believe that may have held things down. But we still had a huge turnout. The turnout is really, really amazing. We’re very pleased with that,” he said.

    Mike Monichetti, left, owner of Mike's Seafood, celebrates with former Eagles star center Jason Kelce. (Photo courtesy of Mike's Seafood Run-Walk for Autism Facebook page)
  

Former 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 one-mile family fun walk. He carried one of his young daughters during the walk and was accompanied by his wife, Kylie.

Kelce made a surprise appearance in 2024 when he took part in the fundraiser’s other event, a five-kilometer run.

“It brings so much recognition to our event,” Jeannie Monichetti said of the excitement generated by the Kelces.

Promoting autism awareness has also been a major effort by Kelce. For four years in a row, he has appeared as a celebrity bartender at the Ocean Drive bar and sister property O’Donnell’s Pour House in Sea Isle each June to raise money for his “Team 62” campaign. Team 62 is part of the Eagles Autism Challenge, an annual fundraiser for the Eagles Autism Foundation.

During its 17-year history, the Mike’s Seafood Run-Walk for Autism has raised more than $1 million for autism support groups, special services schools and families of special needs children. Mike Monichetti estimated than more than $100,000 would be raised this year from donations and sign-ups.

The Monichettis, have four children, including two who have autism, Kara and Michael Jr. 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.

People of all ages took part on Saturday, including young families pushing baby strollers and dog lovers walking their pooches. Many of the walkers were bundled up in coats, gloves and hats when the event began at noon under cloudy skies and temperatures in the 40s. The rain held off until after the event wrapped up.

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.

Anyone who was standing on the oceanfront Promenade for the run-walk would have noticed the members of “Leila’s A Team.” Clad in light green T-shirts, the 60 to 65 Leila’s A Team members stood out among the thousands of participants and spectators.

Leila’s A Team is named in honor of Leila DeJoseph, a Delran, N.J. woman who died in 2023. The “A” in Leila’s A Team stands for Anthony, her 10-year-old son who has autism. In a touching part of the event, Anthony ran the 5K with his father, Justin.

“It was fun,” Anthony said, smiling.

Justin DeJoseph looked at his son with intense pride. He thanked everyone who was part of the Leila’s A Team group, including his family members. His family included his other children, Gemma, 14, Blaise, 12, and Demi, 7, and his parents, Lynne and Anthony DeJoseph.

”I just love seeing my family here. It’s such a big crowd,” Justin DeJoseph said.

    Members of Leila's A Team pose for a group photo.
  

Lynne DeJoseph said the family participants in the autism fundraiser every year to enthusiastically support Anthony.

“Everyone needs an advocate,” she said.

Susie Anhorn and Baela Messmer were among the family members from Skippack, Pa., supporting another child with autism, 14-year-old Gideon Anhorn.

“We want to be supportive of him so he feels just like everyone else,” Messmer said of Gideon, her cousin.

Family members waited on the Promenade while Gideon ran the 5K with his mother, Becky Anhorn.

Susie Anhorn, Gideon’s aunt, said the family makes the two-hour drive to Sea Isle from their Skippack home to participate in the autism fundraiser every year and show their support for Gideon.

“He makes our world brighter,” she noted of Gideon.

    Mike and Jeannie Monichetti, organizers of the fundraiser, are joined by their son, Luke, outside one of the heated tents for the event.

    Shore Medical Center's mascot, Fin the Dolphin, greets some of his fans at the event.
  

    Crowds gather on the Promenade to wait for the runners to return.

    Jason Kelce carries his daughter on his back while participating in the one-mile family fun walk. (Photo courtesy of Lily O'Connor)