Event raises $5,000 for autism awarenesss

 BARBARA S. ROTHSCHILD, Courier-Post

Courier-Post Staff , CHERRY HILL

Cherry Hill High School East's East Singers and Thespian Club raised $5,000 for Just 2 Moms, a local organization that promotes autism awareness, at their Jan. 12 coffeehouse fundraiser.

About 700 people attended "Everybody Fits," the groups' third annual fundraiser to benefit a charity with ties to the community. This year's event featured 27 acts, including singers, dancers and comedy -- that embraced the theme of acceptance.

Former Miss New Jersey Erica Scanlon of Pitman, whose younger sister has autism, sang and spoke about her Miss America platform, autism advocacy and awareness. Jordan Schmidt, a sixth-grader at Rosa International Middle School and son of one of