Walk for Autism kick-off barbecue July 29

The autism advocacy organization Autism Speaks will hold a kickoff barbecue for its third annual New Jersey Shore Walk Now for Autism event 7 p.m. July 29 at Jenkinson's Inlet North, Point Pleasant Beach.

The walk will be Sept. 28 at Point Pleasant Beach band shell. Proceeds benefit research, family services and advocacy to battle autism. The barbecue is open to the public and will feature guest speaker David Marciano from the TV show The Shield, and a parent of a child on the autism spectrum. Representatives from Autism Speaks will also be speaking along with Sean Donnelly, Old Bridge, and Amanda Laughlin, Brick, parents of children on the autism spectrum.

To register for the barbecue, visit www.walknowforautism.org/NewJerseyShore.