Autism awareness fundraiser touted as “smashing success” in Sea Isle City

Mike Monichetti recalled the humble beginnings of his Mike’s Seafood Run-Walk for Autism fundraiser in 2009.

He thought at that time that he would be lucky to get a few hundred people to show up and possibly raise a few thousand dollars.

Now in its 18th year, the annual event in Sea Isle City has grown well beyond Monichetti’s original expectations to become one of the premier fundraisers for autism awareness in New Jersey.

Monichetti appeared at a City Council meeting on Tuesday to tout the “smashing success” of the most recent fundraiser on Feb. 14.

“I don’t know of any other community that could pull this off like Sea Isle City in the middle of winter,” he said while thanking city officials and the local community for their support.

The run-walk is held every Presidents Day weekend on Sea Isle’s oceanfront Promenade and continues with an after-party in huge, heated tents in Excursion Park.

Drawing applause from city officials and the audience, Monichetti revealed that this year’s fundraiser pulled in a record amount of $234,000 in donations, eclipsing the previous high of $196,000 in 2025.

“Not bad for a bunch of guys who sell fish for a living,” he joked of his ownership of Mike’s Seafood and the enthusiastic support he receives from his restaurant employees.

Monichetti praised his employees as “the best people in the world” for helping out with the event each year.

“Everybody involved makes this such a special project,” he said.

    Speaking during a City Council meeting, Mike's Seafood owner Mike Monichetti thanks Sea Isle officials for their support of his fundraiser.
  

This year’s event attracted a record crowd of more than 5,000 people, including more than 2,000 runners and walkers and about 3,000 spectators.

Adding to the excitement was the appearance of former Eagles All-Pro and Pro-Bowl center Jason Kelce, and his wife, Kylie, during the fundraiser’s one-mile family fun walk.

The Kelces own a vacation home in Sea Isle. This was the third straight year that Jason Kelce participated in the event, including a surprise appearance in 2024 when he took part in the fundraiser’s five-kilometer run.

During its 18-year history, the Mike’s Seafood Run-Walk for Autism has raised more than $1 million for autism support groups, special services schools and families of special needs children.

”Growing up in Sea Isle, I’m just so proud of this type of support for people with disabilities,” Monichetti said.

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. Mike and Jeannie serve as the fundraiser’s organizers.

The run-walk serves as the centerpiece of Sea Isle’s Presidents Day celebration, a time when thousands of visitors traditionally head to the shore for a winter getaway weekend of shopping, dining and family-friendly activities.

The Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce & Revitalization told Monichetti that the number of people in town this year matched the big crowds that would visit during the holiday weekend prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.

    Walkers pack the oceanfront Promenade for the fundraiser's one-mile family walk.