Already active in the local schools, temple, and Jewish Community Center in her Florida community, Schwartz was eager to come up with a way to not just help her grandson, but “everyone in his boots.” She didn't simply want to ask friends and strangers for money – after all, she was aware that there are many worthwhile causes that people are already supporting.

At the time, her daughter-in-law was a walk chair for NAAR's New Jersey Walk. Schwartz knew that she wanted her to raise money to benefit NAAR (now Autism Speaks), but how?

She inventoried her talents and abilities; while she was an avid knitter and crafts-maker, “you unfortunately can't sell woolen scarves in Florida.” She surveyed friends and family, seeking suggestions of innovative fundraising ideas.

A friend of hers suggested contacting her local Borders bookstore to offer to wrap holiday gifts as a fundraiser. Schwartz contacted the Borders Aventura and while they were more than happy to let her wrap gifts to support Autism Speaks, the majority of dates were already taken by another cause, breast cancer. Just the same, she accepted all available dates and raised over $3,100, wrapping gifts by herself without any volunteer assistance.

Based on her success, when the holiday season ended, Mrs. Schwartz requested to be the sole gift wrapping charity in her local store for the 2006 holiday season. Early into the 2006 season, a young woman who looked “like a model” approached her table; impressed by Schwartz's efforts, she volunteered her services. Before long, they had recruited a total of fifteen volunteers to wrap gifts that holiday season.

“Almost everyone who had a gift wrapped had a connection to autism,” Schwartz said. “The warm atmosphere encouraged people to tell their stories and offer donations of all amounts.”

Motivated by the generosity of Borders, who donated all of the supplies (wrapping paper, Scotch tape, and table setup) as well as the space, she approached Office Depot with a request. If she purchased a ream of paper, would they be willing to copy five hundred informative fliers for her? The store management was more than happy to comply, offering their services. At her gift wrapping table, Schwartz disseminated the flier, which featured a photograph of her with her grandson. It educated customers about autism and thanked them for their support of Autism Speaks, which she believes “made all the difference in encouraging people to donate.”

Mrs. Schwartz encountered people from all financial walks of life. One woman gave her an envelope with a check for one thousand dollars. Initially overwhelmed, she refused it; it was too much. With some persuasion, though, this generous woman convinced her that she could afford it and wanted to support her efforts.

Another day, a little girl, seemingly about five years old, walked by and peered at the gift wrapping table and donation jar. She walked away and quickly returned, asking if she could “throw something in the jar.” Schwartz said that she was welcome to, as long as she “asked her mommy, first.” The little girl nodded, reached into her pocket and dropped a nickel and a penny into the donation jar. “It brought me to tears,” said Schwartz.

At the close of the 2006 holiday season, Schwartz and her hard-working volunteers raised nearly $8,000 due to the generosity of customers, as well as her local Borders and Office Depot.

Schwartz, now eighty-eight years old, has nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Her entire family is active in the fight against autism, including two of her granddaughters who were moved to study special needs in college after Jordan was diagnosed, and her grandson Brandon, who volunteers weekly at a special needs camp. She remains active in her community, having raised almost $11,000 for Autism Speaks in just two years. She hopes that her active volunteerism will encourage others to find creative fundraising options, showing people that it doesn't take much money, just an idea and the motivation to raise funds for a worthwhile cause.

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