Sea Isle City Celebrates Success of Autism Awareness Fundraiser

Mike Monichetti had to choke back his emotions several times while speaking about the benefits of his annual autism awareness fundraiser in Sea Isle City.

He wasn’t alone. Other people seated in Sea Isle’s nearly packed City Council chambers Tuesday were shedding tears of joy, too.

“I’m doing God’s work,” Monichetti said.

For 17 years, Monichetti and his wife, Jeannie, have sponsored the Mike’s Seafood Run-Walk for Autism, an event that has raised more than $1 million during its history for autism support groups, special services schools and families of special needs children.

Following a record turnout of about 5,000 participants and spectators at the fundraiser on Feb. 15, Monichetti appeared during a City Council meeting Tuesday to talk about the success of the event – and the sheer joy of being able to help so many children and families dealing with the challenges of autism and other disabilities.

“The more money I get, the more money I can give away,” he said.

Monichetti was accompanied by the leaders of several private and public groups that have benefited from thousands of dollars in donations from the fundraiser.

One of them, Atlantic City Councilman George Crouch, half-jokingly told Monichetti, “Don’t make me cry,” before he got up to speak about Monichetti’s generosity toward a dance party for autistic children in Atlantic City.

“What he does is phenomenal. He’s infectious,” Crouch said at the meeting before turning to Monichetti to add, “Mike, I love you for doing what you do.”

Monichetti and Crouch then warmly hugged each other.

    Mike Monichetti and Atlantic City Councilman George Crouch share a hug.
  

Recalling the fundraiser’s humble beginnings in 2009, Monichetti said he thought then that he would be lucky to keep the event going for one or two years and perhaps raise a few thousand dollars.

“I never thought it would come to this,” he said of the fundraiser’s growth over the years.

For 2025 alone, Monichetti estimated that more than $100,000 was raised from donations and sign-ups.

Mike’s Seafood Run-Walk for Autism takes its name from Monichetti’s iconic Mike’s Seafood & Dock Restaurant in Sea Isle’s historic Fish Alley neighborhood. The family’s seafood market was started in Sea Isle in 1911 by Monichetti’s grandparents, immigrants from Italy. Monichetti also owns a seafood restaurant in Ocean City.

Monichetti and his wife, Jeannie, have four children, including two who have autism, Kara and Michael Jr. Having autistic children and knowing the challenges that parents with autistic children face on a daily basis served as their inspiration for starting the fundraiser.

Pausing to collect himself, Monichetti became emotional while talking about the letters he has received from single mothers about their struggles having autistic children.

“It’s tough to raise autistic children. It’s even tougher to raise them as a single mom,” he said.

    Runners break from the starting line on Sea Isle's oceanfront promenade for the Mike's Seafood Run-Walk for Autism on Feb. 15.
  

The fundraiser has not only benefited single moms and families dealing with autism, but also an array of private and public organizations that provide special needs for children with autism and other disabilities.

Jamie Moscony, superintendent of the Cape May County Special Services School District, said Monichetti has donated more than $300,000 to support after-school programs run by the district.

“He’s helped so many families. He’s helped to spread awareness,” Moscony said.

Erin Lichtenwalner, director of the Atlantic County Special Services School District, another organization that has benefited from donations from the autism fundraiser, praised Monichetti for his passion and commitment to serve people with autism and other disabilities.

“Nothing is impossible with him,”Lichtenwalner said.

Jen Cruickshank, superintendent of the Atlantic County Special Services School District, spoke of how donations from the fundraiser have helped pay for special “sensory communication bags” containing headphones, communication cards and other items to aid autistic children.

“Without the donations, these bags would not be possible,” Cruickshank said.

    Erin Lichtenwalner, left, and Jen Cruickshank, of the Atlantic County Special Services School District, speak about how donations from the autism awareness fundraiser benefit their group.
  

Shore Medical Center, the Somers Point hospital, was able, with Monichetti’s funding help, to develop a special sensory room to take blood work from autistic children without frightening them.

Brian Cahill, director of marketing for Shore Medical Center, said Monichetti offered to help with the funding for the hospital’s sensory programs without the hospital reaching out to him for donations.

“I’m here now, so let’s go. I hear you have a program for me,” Cahill recalled of Monichetti’s surprise visit one day at the hospital.

The fundraiser is becoming better known throughout New Jersey each year it is held. Former Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro and Pro-Bowl center Jason Kelce, his wife, Kylie, and their family have participated in the run-walk for the last two years The Kelces own a vacation home in Sea Isle.

“They put a whole new light on it, Jason and Kylie,” Monichetti said of how the Kelces have given the event a boost in publicity and news coverage.

On Tuesday, Channel 12 of Edison, N.J., was in Sea Isle to do some filming for a program about the Mike’s Seafood Run-Walk for Autism as part of its “Down the Shore” documentary series.

Monichetti repeatedly thanked and praised Sea Isle officials for their support of the fundraiser over the years. He said he couldn’t ever imagine holding the event anywhere else than Sea Isle.

“Sea Isle is a unique town. It’s a great partnership,” he said.

    Jason Kelce carries his daughter on his back while participating in the walk at the autism fundraiser. (Photo courtesy of Lily O'Connor)
  

Mayor Leonard Desiderio and City Council President William Kehner credited Monichetti for putting a positive spotlight on the town and serving as “a goodwill ambassador.”

“We in Sea Isle are very fortunate to have Mike. Mike’s heart is as big as he is,” Desiderio said.

Kehner said he has been impressed with how much Mike and Jeannie Monichetti have been able to raise awareness of autism. He urged the community to continue to support their efforts.

“We didn’t know anything in Sea Isle City about autism until Mike showed us,” Kehner said.