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Spearheaded by , a non-profit advocacy and support group based in southern New Jersey, the awareness campaign encourages schools, businesses and people nationally and internationally, to assemble and blow bubbles at the exact same time 鈥� 1:15 p.m. to 1:16 p.m. EST in an attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records. To break the record, more than 35,000 needed to participate in the one-minute event.
听鈥淏lowing bubbles to raise awareness is a truly inspired idea,鈥� said DHS Commissioner Jennifer Velez. 鈥淲atching hundreds of people come together in recognition of Autism was incredibly moving. There was an energy and enthusiasm that听made it a really special event.鈥�
鈥淲e recently learned that nationwide has autism, so the support for awareness shown today is very much appreciated,鈥� the Commissioner added. 鈥淚t was a stroke of luck that Bring Your Child to Work Day coincided because it allowed us to engage the children in an important and memorable activity.鈥�
About 200 children who came to work with their parents in the Offices of the Governor, Secretary of State, Assembly and Senate, the Departments of Community Affairs, Education, Homeland Security and Preparedness, Human Services, Labor and Workforce Development, Treasury, the Board of Public Utilities and School Development Authority participated. Bubbles for the occasion were donated by staff among the Departments.
According to Faces4Autism鈥檚 founder, Isabelle Marks Mosca, the organization expected to have enough participants to break the world record by about 2,200, with over 37,000 people in 13 states and five countries registered for the event.
Governor Chris Christie鈥檚 fiscal year 2013 budget emphasizes the Administration鈥檚 strong commitment to the many programs, services and supports offered by the State to individuals with autism and their families that make New Jersey one of the best systems in the nation for identifying, diagnosing and caring for individuals with autism.
