Bat mitzvah raises funds for autism

LARGE DONATION--Sarah Persichetti, right, holds $1,000 check she delivered in person to charity Cure Autism Now.

Sarah Persichetti, 13, decided to use the opportunity of her bat mitzvah celebration to perform a charitable deed. The seventh-grader recently became a bat mitzvah at Temple Adat Elohim in Thousand Oaks. She selected the charity Cure Autism Now because her 5-yearold cousin, Zachary, had been diagnosed with autism as a baby.

"Even though I am just one person donating money to a cause, I feel like I've made a difference," Sarah said.

During the past year she collected bottles and cans at Westlake Hills Elementary School, at athletic events and from friends and family and cashed them in at a recycling center.

Sarah had a goal of raising $1,000 through the recycling program. She raised nearly $500, then contributed $500 of her own savings to attain her goal.

Sarah participated in the Cure Autism Walk in Los Angeles on April 22 and delivered her donation in person.

"It feels so good to do something good for other people in need," Sarah said. "I feel like I've grown closer to my cousin from doing this project. I encourage everyone to participate in something as meaningful and special."