Kelly’s in Saugus hosts autism fundraiser

SAUGUS – Members of “Team Lynnfield” chowed down on roast beef sandwiches, fried shrimp, french fries and onion rings at Kelly’s Roast Beef in Saugus Monday night in an effort to raise money and awareness for the non-profit group Autism Speaks.”You present a coupon and Kelly’s gives 15 percent,” said Julie Perrin, whose daughter Rachel has autism. “We’re families from Lynnfield so we called ourselves Team Lynnfield.”Terri Farrell was with her 13-year-old son Conor, who also has autism, and said Monday was the perfect time to hold their event.”April is Autism Awareness Month,” said Farrell. “So we wanted to do something for Autism Awareness Month, and today is Autism Awareness Day at the State House so we went down to the State House this morning. It was perfect that this date was open so it made sense to do it today.”Farrell said she and Perrin have been holding events like this for more than three years and they also participate in the annual Autism Speaks Walk at Suffolk Downs with 40 other members of “Team Lynnfield.”Farrell said events like Monday’s fundraiser not only help spread the word about autism, but help take the stigma away from it too.”It provides a more open forum to increase awareness,” said Farrell. “The other thing that’s important is the Center for Disease Control said it’s one-in-88 kids who have it. They consider it an epidemic. At this point, the numbers are kind of frightening.”According to the CDC, people with autism usually have significant language delays, social and communication challenges, and unusual behaviors and interests along with some intellectual disability.Perrin’s husband, Artie, is the general manager at Kelly’s and said he was more than happy to host Monday’s fundraiser.”We do fundraisers all the time,” said Perrin. “We do it for schools, sports teams. Why not autism? As long as it’s a nonprofit. It’s a good thing to do. It affects me directly so I have no problem with it.”Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].