Local Teens in Boston Raise $10,000 for Families in Need

BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / December 20, 2017 / In September, three friends hatched a plan to “be Santa for a day” in order to help children with disabilities whose families were in need. Thanks to their efforts, which raised $10,000 with the generous help of area businesses and nonprofits, 15 families will have a brighter holiday.

Family and donors at holiday party

“This was a true community effort inspired and led by three special kids,” say Maribel Rueda, mother of Esteban Barriga, and Barry Wiener, and father of Andy and Dan Wiener. What began as a simple desire among Esteban and his friends Andy and Dan Wiener to give back grew into something much bigger. Rueda says, “I am so proud of these kids – they have demonstrated so much empathy and compassion despite the very significant challenges they personally face in their own lives.”

Esteban was diagnosed with severe Autism at the age of 3. Like many children with Autism, he struggled in social situations, had difficulty being in crowded places and could not make friends. Recognizing a deficit of resources to support her family, and others like them, Maribel started Autism Geniuses of the World. Through this non-profit organization, she and a team of volunteers have helped hundreds of families with Autistic children to adapt and to engage with their communities. Andy and Dan are two remarkable teens on the inside who happen to face unique physical challenges on the outside. Dan is autistic and legally blind and Andy, who is also blind, is confined to a wheelchair and has Cerebral Palsy. Like Esteban, they are blessed with a dad, Barry Wiener, who would do anything to help his children. For 17 years, he, along with his 23-year-old son Eddie, have raised these fantastic boys. Barry quit his job to ensure they were able to live fulfilling, happy, and rewarding lives.

On Saturday, December 17, the plan of these three friends came to fruition. At a party held for families identified by Boston-area schools and community organizations, Esteban, Andy, and Dan helped to distribute the toys, gift cards, clothes, and other presents that were purchased with the money they raised. And they had plenty of help! Akebia Therapeutics employees, the Fallon Company Charitable Fund, Karen Annis and Mike Dazy Family Foundation, Tony’s Place Restaurant, West Roxbury Kiwanis Club, Randy O’Brien and Foundation, the Pinch Foundation and Bertucci’s (Newton), and many individual donors, all contributed money, in-kind support and/or time to the effort. Esteban’s sister, Mariana, and her friends dressed up as Santa’s Helpers and passed out the gifts, Kevin O’Connell played Santa, Jehovagni Daniel Santana Diaz took photos, Ray Torrez created marketing material, and DJ Phil Rizk volunteered his time, as well.

Andy and Dan’s father, Barry, observes, “I think the takeaway from all this is that there is so much goodness in the world. You look at the three great kids who with our support made this possible, here they are with so many personal challenges and yet their hearts are so big; they recognize there are many less fortunate families and they want to help. With all the people and organizations who rallied around them to support their goal…it just shows that we all have something to contribute. And that even that little spark that came from our three boys can serve as a catalyst. Their desire to ‘give’ emanated from themselves to their families, to the community.”

The Orellana family who was adopted in campaign by Akebia Therapeutics

Akebia Therapeutics employees wrapping gifts for families adopted in the campaign

Andy, Dan, and Esteban’s families, who managed the campaign

Family from Cambridge, MA who attended party and donated

Contact:

Maribel Rueda
https://www.facebook.com/AutismGeniuses/
978-908-8900

SOURCE: Autism Geniuses of the World

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