Thousands of walkers, including those from Roslyn, are expected to join together to raise research funds at the Ninth Annual Autism Speaks' Long Island "Walk Now for Autism," to be held on Sunday, Oct. 5 at Jones Beach State Park, Field 5, Wantagh.

Last year's walk raised $2,283,000. Organizers hope to raise $2.5 million at the Oct. 5 event.

Among those participating are the Gerstman family of Roslyn. Cheryl and Brad have two children, Lara, 6, and Lee, 7, the affected child.

Both parents are involved in the autism cause. Both have been involved with Autism Speaks for about three years; Brad is on the walk planning committee. He is also a lobbyist for autism.

For the past five years, Cheryl has helped organize a fashion show fund raiser for her son's school, the Barbara C. Wilson Preschool in Woodbury held at the Glen Head Country Club. Half of the money raised goes to the school, half to Autism Speaks. In the past, such celebrities as Colin Cowie and Tory Burch have attended.

Brad organizes a golf outing fundraiser every year on Columbus Day and also got Hofstra University to hold an Autism Awareness Day in the fall. The Gerstmans also created a family foundation for autism.

According to Mrs. Gertsman, Lee's little sister is very protective of her big brother. Since Lara's been around therapists most of her life, she sometimes like to act like a "little therapist" with her brother, Mrs. Gertsman notes.

Toys"R"Us, Toys"R"Us Children's Fund and Parade magazine serve as national sponsors of the Walk Now for Autism program.

Long Island sponsors include Jewelers for Children, New York Islanders, National Mah Jongg League, The Long Island Radio Group, AMDI (Advanced Multimedia Devices, Rebecca School, The Frank J, Antun Foundation, Cindy and David Wittels, Center for Wealth Preservation, Melville Financial Group, Mozel Charitable Trust, Marion K. Salomon & Associates, and Bloomberg.

Walk Now for Autism includes a 1 to 2 mile walk and Community Resource fair with educational sources, therapists, schools, recreational organizations, child-friendly activities; and a one-stop-shop for families affected by autism. This year Toys"R"Us will have a tented space serving as home base for Geoffrey the Giraffe. Attendees will also be able to stop by and sign their children up for Geoffrey's Birthday Club and pick up the "Ten Toys That Speak to Autism" handout, a list of toys that help build the skills of children with autism, created in collaboration with Autism Speaks.