This past week, Alpha Chi Rho, with the help of the Future Educators Association, held their annual Autism Awareness Dinner. The dinner benefits the Autism Society of America, and raised around $300.

AXP Philanthropy chairs, Brian Delvecchio and Savion Jackson, planned the event with their fellow brothers to raise awareness on campus of how autism affects the Pace community. Many students took the stage to talk about how autism affects their families and friends. Jamie DelToro, whose older sister Remi has autism, credits her for teaching her many life lessons. “Without her, I would not be here today,” she noted. “You cannot judge people and you have to stand up for others.”

DelToro ended her speech with a letter to her sister, thanking her for all that she has given her. “Thank you for being stubborn and teaching me patience, you are my inspiration and best friend.”

Next to speak was, Eric Mahon, a brother of AXP whose nephew, Brody, has autism. Similar to DelToro, Mahon thanked his nephew for teaching him so much in life. “This little boy has changed our family in such a positive way,” he noted. “He has taught us how to love unconditionally.”

Throughout the night, the brothers of AXP spoke of the effects of autism and how those with the disease may seem different, but they should still be treated with the same amount of love and respect as anyone else. Brian Delvecchio, one of their two philanthropy chairs, spoke of how we should love them and simply “all love each other.”

Savion Jackson, the second philanthropy chair, spoke highly of the event with the regard that it not only teaches Pace students about autism, but as they plan it, they continue to learn more. “Working with each other to plan the event is nice, but we learn as we put it together, which is even better.”

The otherwise serious event ended on a lighter note fueled by an interactive trivia game, that attendees could participate through their phones. The popular game, “Kahoot” challenged everyone to take their newfound knowledge of autism and put it to use. Noah Austin, a brother of AXP, ended up beating the crowd with his trivia skills.

President of AXP, Joe Kelly, ended the night by thanking everyone for coming to support such an amazing cause, thanking the speakers especially for helping them all understand how autism truly affects peoples lives.