Seaford Family to Host Autism Benefit at Mulcahy's

Fundraisers are typically held in efforts to find a cure, but the Butchen family of Seaford is simply looking for a cause.

Maureen Butchen gave birth to her son, Alexander, 16 years ago when the prevalence of autism was one in 10,000 births. Today, the numbers have skyrocketed to one in 95 births, and a cause is still unknown.

The Butchen family will host a fundraiser in honor of Alexander Thursday evening at in Wantagh to benefit Autism Speaks, a foundation they've worked with for nine years.

"I'm just trying to do my part in helping to raise awareness with family and friends and raise funds to a very worthy cause that's close to my heart," said Ms. Butchen.

Butchen's son is currently a student at Smithtown's Developmental Disabilities Institute, a private school devoted to educating children with autism, and requires constant one-on-one intervention for many of his daily skills.

Since 2002, Butchen's family has participated in the annual Autism Walk at __ hosted by Autism Speaks. The foundation is dedicated to increasing awareness of autism disorders as well as funding research for the cause, prevention and cure. Butchen is determined to do what she can do help in the mission.

"Autism occurs across all socioeconomic levels and effects not only the families of children with autism but their communities, schools, governments and society as a whole," she explained.

Thursday's fundraiser, sponsored by the Wantagh-based Testaverde Foundation, will be held from 7 p.m.-11 p.m. A $50 donation includes dinner, an open bar and live music. Butchen said she has no fundraising goal, as every little bit helps to improve a child's life.

"Alexander is a sweet, loveable young man with an incredible amount of affection instilled in his personality," she said. "We continue to work with him to help improve his language and behaviors. We want to see him a happy, well-adjusted boy able to enjoy life's pleasures."