Zumba For Autism Raises Big Funds

Sometimes when you want to raise money for a cause, you have to dance up a sweat.

Melmark New England recently raised more than $6,000 during their second annual Zumba for Autism event at their Andover campus.

Top Zumba instructors from the Greater Boston area joined in with the more than 200 Zumba enthusiasts who participated.

One factor that may have helped amp up the dance: There was also a raffle with grand prize of tickets to the Justin Timberlake & Jay Z concert.

Autism is a neurological disorder with symptoms that include impaired communication skills, cognitive and intellectual development delays, social interaction difficulties and repetitive behavior. The autism spectrum includes Asperger syndrome.

Located on a 9-acre site in Andover, Melmark New England serves children and young adults with autism spectrum disorders, acquired brain injury and other neurological disorders in the Greater Boston area.