Autism benefits scheduled for Wildwood

CAMDEN A 5K fund-raising run and a charitable ride to the Shore are being planned by Autism Speaks' local chapter.

The run - the group's second annual - will take place Aug. 23 on the Wildwood Boardwalk starting at Rio Grande Avenue. The fee for those who register online is $25; it's $30 for those registering in person on the day of the event.

On-site registration starts at 7 a.m., and the race begins at 8 a.m.

In the all-age event, there will be prizes for the three top-finishing men, the three top-finishing women, and the three top-finishing children under 13.

The second fund-raiser will be a 60-mile, police-escorted ride Oct. 5 from the Camden waterfront to Harrah's Casino & Resort in Atlantic City.

The ninth annual event will include a kickoff party on the waterfront and an after-ride bash at Harrah's, with both featuring live entertainment, food, raffles, vendors and autism information.

The fee for riders, passengers, and nonparticipants who just want to partake of the festivities is $35.

On-site registration will start at 9 a.m. The ride will get rolling around noon and end about 2 p.m.

Both events will generate funds for research, but most of the money will go to benefit local families touched by autism, according to Emily Kreifels, a group spokeswoman.

For more information or to register online for the run, go to http://events.autismspeaks.org/wildwood5K.

For the ride, visit http://rideforautism.org/philadelphia

- Rita Giordano