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Community Corner

Community Encouraged to Support Autism Research Through Vending Machines at Five ShopRite Locations

More than $2,500 was raised this year for Autism Speaks—the nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization—by using traditional vending machines in a non-traditional way. With the help of the community, the Ravitz Family Foundation is looking to continue helping patients and their families as part of its support of local charitable organizations, religious groups, schools, and members of the community in need.

 

Two vending machines, one in the front of the store and the other in the employee break areas, have been installed at the ShopRite location on Route 70 in Marlton, as well as the Ravitz Family’s other four ShopRite locations in Cherry Hill, Moorestown, and Mount Laurel.  All proceeds from purchases are donated to local charities through the Ravitz Family Foundation. The program is a partnership with Charity Changer, a branding and promotional concept founded by Michael Dershem and his Voorhees-based MEDassurance, LLC.   

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“The help from our customers, employees, and vendors means so much to us and even more to the millions of families affected by this disorder every day. We’re hoping to continue taking steps toward changing the future for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders,” said Shawn Ravitz, Treasurer of the Ravitz Family Foundation Board of Directors.   

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Autism Speaks was selected as the first beneficiary of the Charity Changer program at ShopRite.  The nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, Autism Speaks is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism.  The organization also works to increase awareness of autism and advocate for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. 

 

“In the wake of the devastation by Hurricane Sandy, Autism Speaks set up a Response Team to assist families affected by autism and provided emergency funds to help these families purchase lost essentials. This is just one example of how this unique fundraising program is helping to make a difference in the South Jersey community,” said Sheri Klein, an Autism Speaks volunteer.

 

The Ravitz family owns and operates five ShopRite stores in Burlington and Camden Counties. Throughout its 40 years in business, Ravitz Family Markets has been a long-time supporter of key community efforts, including The Ravitz Family Foundation which aids children and families in need by providing grants to local charitable organizations.

 

Ravitz family-owned ShopRite store locations:

·         ShopRite of Garden State Pavilion (Route 70 & Cornell Avenue, Cherry Hill, NJ)

·         ShopRite of Evesham Road (400 East Evesham Road, Cherry Hill, NJ)

·         ShopRite of Marlton (307 West Route 70, Marlton, NJ)

·         ShopRite of Mount Laurel (1000 Nixon Drive, Moorestown, NJ)

·         ShopRite of Union Mill Road (892 Union Mill Road, Mt. Laurel, NJ)

 

To find out more about this program, email info@charitychanger.com or visit www.ravitzfamilyfoundation.org.   

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