This column is written by the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com collegiate correspondent.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Every year, hundreds of Staten Islanders come together for a plethora of good causes. In 2018, a new community benefit event was born: The Walk for GRACE.

The inaugural walk on April 28 at St. John's University was organized by the GRACE Foundation, which is "committed to increasing the quality of life for children, adults, and families living with Autism Spectrum Disorder."

Program Director Julie Gottesman said she had always envisioned a GRACE Foundation walk, so she worked with Tolisa Khelawan and Bernie Veneziano from the St. John's University student government department to make it a reality.

More than 350 guests attended the Walk for GRACE, which featured inspirational performances by the GRACE-ful Glee Club, breakfast sponsored by Beverage Island and a Staten Island Kar Klub (SIKK) show featuring more than 100 vehicles.

All proceeds will benefit the GRACE Foundation.

"We are always open to fundraising opportunities especially while faced with budget cuts," said Kevin J. Brosnick, executive director of The GRACE Foundation. "This first [event] proved not only to be a community-driven event for our friends and families at GRACE, but it enabled us to reach out for much needed donations to expand and sustain our programs."

Event sponsors included M&R Construction, Colonial Funeral Home, Dependable Auto and Empire State Bank. Beverage Island sponsored the breakfast table and there were giveaways from Scaran and a special appearance by Scooter from the S.I. Yankees.

The Grace Foundation of New York's mission statement is to "empower those we serve with Opportunity, Dignity & Teamwork." For more information, visit GraceofNY.org.

-- Staten Island native Charista Mroczek is a freshman at Barnard College of Columbia University.