Locals Show Rockaway Love at Autism Fundraiser

By Kami-Leigh Agard

Rockaway locals, Rich Pontieri and Jerry O’Sullivan, certainly know how to pack a house as evident with the multitudes who flocked to Jameson’s this past Saturday, October 25, to support their fundraiser for Rockaway Beach Autism Families. According to Jamesons’ co-owner, Brian Dickesheid, between the $5K that was amassed from the football box raffle and tips Pontieri and O’Sullivan received from guest bartending on Saturday, a grand total of $7,100 was raised. As professed by Pontieri’s wife, Sarah Kenny, “I really can’t imagine living anywhere else. One of the great things about Rockaway is that people come out to help each other.”

Pontieri, O’Sullivan and Dickesheid are childhood friends. Their decades-long friendship harkens back to when they all attended grammar school at St. Camillus Catholic Academy. For the last two years, Pontieri and O’Sullivan, with the support of Dickesheid, have paired up behind the bar at Jamesons to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, on behalf of O’Sullivan’s daughter, Siobhan.

Kenny, who serves on the board of Rockaway W.I.S.H. (Women Inspired to Support & Help), shared, “Two years ago, my husband, Rich, came out to guest bartend with Jerry for his daughter’s cause, which was leukemia and lymphoma. And to go even further back, Jerry had cancer and Rich used to ride the A-train with him to get chemotherapy when they were just 18 years old. So, it kind of came full circle with now Jerry giving back to Rich by working with him to raise money for a cause near and dear to our heart, which is autism.”

Kenny and Pontieri’s son, Michael Pontieri, is on the autism spectrum and attends a special needs private high school. Last summer, the dad met Kami-Leigh Agard, founder of Rockaway Beach Autism Families (RBAF), on the boardwalk at her nonprofit’s, “Annual Dance For Autism” at the Caracas concession. Pontieri immediately started attending RBAF’s monthly family support group meetings, and soon after was invited to join the organization’s board of directors.

RBAF is a grassroots organization that advocates for autism awareness, acceptance and education. The organization hosts monthly family support group meetings, with guest speakers providing information about a variety of resources and services, such as state services, employment, special-needs trusts, financial planning, therapies and much more. RBAF also hosts a plethora of recreational activities for families with autistic individuals, including the Annual Walk for Autism on the boardwalk, Dance Under The Stars For Autism, Fall Beach Treasure Hunt, End-Of-Year Holiday Party and more.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the U.S., with according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in 31 children diagnosed. This is up nearly 300% from year, 2000, when the prevalence was estimated at one in 150 children.

For O’Sullivan, paying it forward for autism to Pontieri was a no-brainer. “This past summer, Rich mentioned to me his idea for the event. Immediately, I said, ‘Absolutely, no doubt. Let’s get a date.’ And with Jamesons’ co-owners, Brian Dickesheid and Marty McManus, it was a home run. It could be any charity—autism, cancer, whatever. I’m always down. Rich and I go back to the early ‘80s. We’ve been friends since we were little boys. We’re like brothers,” he said.

Dickesheid shared the same sentiment.  “I have many friends whose children are on the autism spectrum. And being friends with Rich my entire life, and him having an autistic son, of course I want to support one hundred percent.

“Supporting charities is an initiative the team at Jamesons is going to support at least twice a year. Whether it’s building awareness, raising money, we want to help,” he said.

For husband and wife, Kenny and Pontieri, Rockaway is a gift that keeps on giving. “Our son, Michael, is on the spectrum, but the community has been such an uplifting and positive force that we really can’t imagine living anywhere else. Because when the chips are down, these are the people who are here for you,” they said.

Inspired by his son, Mikey, Pontieri has authored children’s books, including: “Mikey and Busty,” and “Has Anyone Seen My Friend?” He also spends time visiting special needs classes at schools such as Waterside Children’s Studio School, reading his books to students.

For Agard, Rockaway is in one word—amazing. “Parenting a child on the autism spectrum is a road full of love, but immense challenges. So, to befriend parents like Rich and Sarah, and even see how the local business community supports not just with fundraising, but building awareness and acceptance is a blessing,” she said.

For more info about RBAF and upcoming events, visit: rockawaybeachautismfamilies.org or Rockaway Beach Autism Families on Facebook/Instagram.