“Turn Up 2024” A Huge Success
“Turn Up for Communication Rights” was held at the Flagship Brewery on Staten Island on April 7, 2024. More than 250 supporters of CrimsonRise and S2C attended. As promised, the event was lively, festive and relaxed with a live rock band, DJ, food, beer, wine, gifts, and raffles.
Lakshmi Rao Sankar, executive director, and other members of the CrimsonRise team presented each of the four honorees with a plaque. James Raffone then led a spirited on-the-spot-rally for donations, raising $5,000 in five minutes.
This year we showed a video featuring nonspeakers, practicioners, and parents.
The event celebrated the lives of nonspeaking autistics and their journey to gain their voice. Lakshmi promised that with the support of the community, we would build an organization that “shows up for our nonspeakers” who are part of the estimated 50 million nonspeaking autistics worldwide.
Our thanks to all who attended and to all who made this year’s event such a resounding success.
Sponsors
Champion
$5000
Barbara & Billy D’Amora
Lakshmi Rao Sankar & Shanx Ravisankar
Lenore & Frank Puleo
Advocate
$1000
Suzanne & Paul Cannella
James & Yvonne Caldarella
The Tucci Family
Anonymous
Evolve 33
Robert Fasulo
Subadra & Bala Panchanadeswaran
Mindfulness with Melissa
On Your Mark
S. Ramakrishnan
Done and Marilyn Russo
Deepti & Suneet Mittal
Don & Marilyn Russo
Friend
$500
Kim Leo
Flagstar – Loporcaro Private Client Group
La Bella Marketplace
Ally
$250
G Ramchandran
Tenzin & Phunstok Minlay
Northfield Bank
Elinor Carlin
Honorees
James Raffone
James Raffone, the founder and driving force behind JAR of Hope, is dedicated to eradicating Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a currently incurrable and terminal muscle-wasting disease. His efforts have catalyzed legislative changes in New York, increasing the Duchenne research budget by $2 million a year. Groundbreaking private studies and treatments, including his son, a victim of DMD, being the first in the US to receive intravenous stem cells and explore HBOT for cardiac health. James Raffone’s relentless pursuit to save his son and find a cure for DMD through JAR of Hope is a testament to his profound dedication and the global impact of his work.
Elinor Carlin
Elinor (Ellie) Carlin is a 94 1/2 year old widow, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and native Staten Islander. Her daughter, Lisa Morgan, and her granddaughter, Lindsay Morgan, are both CrimsonRise S2C Practitioners.
Tina Montalbano
Tine Montalbano is a retired NYC teacher. She holds a BS and MS Degree in education from Wagner College. She enjoys the theater, concerts, crafting jewelry, traveling, decorating, and spending time with family and friends.
Linda Mantia
Linda Mantia is the grandmother of Noah Rivera. She was born in N.Y.C. and raised in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn where she still resides.
Highlighters
Johnny Fish and the Fins
Band
Johnny Fish and the Fins are a classic-rock cover band, founded in 2013, performing music from Billy Joel to Led Zeppelin to P!nk in the Staten Island / NJ area.
Raul Fuentes
Emcee
Raul Fuentes is the proud parent of four children, two of whom are on the autistic spectrum. He has been an emcee and an supporter of many events helping the autistic community for 15 years.
Island Enteraintment
DJ
Island Enertainment provides a unique DJ experience, customizing the music and audi support for client and event.
