Restaurateur Serves Up Great Food and Acceptance for Children

Local restaurateur Schi Berk talks with great pride about the importance of enhancing the lives of his two young sons and helping other area families.

As the proud father of 10-year-old Logan, who has autism, and 8-year-old Noah, Berk knows that there are many families in the community grappling with the roller coaster ride that accompanies having a child with special needs.

As such, Berk, a joint venture partner of the local Outback Steakhouse and its umbrella group, Bloomin Brands, were a major sponsor of the recent 10th Annual Race for Resources hosted by the nonprofit Autism Cares Foundation (ACF).

He brought dozens of volunteers who woke up at 5 a.m. to cook and serve 1,200 scrumptious meals at the truly memorable recent event.

“I feel extremely blessed that I’m in a position to support Autism Cares Foundation,” Berk explained. “It is truly inspirational to see these families that are positively impacted by ACF. The majority of what you see is so important: awareness, acceptance, and involvement.”

His wife, Amy, said that their participation in the event has become a family tradition and something they look forward to every year. “We urge everyone we know to come out and see firsthand how much their involvement and donations can definitely impact families like our own.”

The race participants gathered at the beautiful Bucks County Community College campus in Newtown, for the 5-K and 10-K that run through picturesque Tyler State Park. There was also a 1-mile Family Walk and a Resource Expo.

Despite the chilly weather, they gathered with warm hearts to run, walk, connect, learn, and bond while promoting acceptance and love for all children, teens, and adults; especially everyone’s loved ones with autism and other special needs.

The Race for Resources is one of ACF’s major fundraisers and it allows the Bucks County-based nonprofit to serve more than 5,000 people through 200 FREE events held annually. This is done with the help of dedicated volunteers, and donations and sponsorships from local individuals, businesses, and corporations.

The 2019 race marks the 4th year that Berk and his company have given support as a major sponsor of the Race for Resources.

The more than 1,300 participants, members of the 75 teams, 100 volunteers, and other supporters sponsors and vendors ran, walked, or connected with one common goal at the Saturday, Nov. 2 Race for Resources: to raise money and awareness for children and adults with autism and other special needs.

Thanks to Berk and his business partners, the participants feasted on a scrumptious lunch of steak, chicken, salmon, Caesar salad, mashed potatoes, pasta, and Hanks sodas. The food was donated by Bloomin Brands three restaurants; Outback Steakhouse, Bonefish Grill and Carrabba’s Italian Grill.

In fact, Berk said that his newly-opened Outback location in Oxford Valley will serve as the hub for the 2020 Race for Resources, and he looks forward to doing everything he and his employees can to make that event a major success.

“The Autism Cares Foundation and its Race for Resources line up perfectly with what is important to us. I know when I go out to dinner, or to these trampoline parks, people look at us differently when my son acts up after being over-stimulated,” he said. “They may judge a child with autism. So, to be around like-minded parents and family members, and give them a hug or other support when they need it is priceless.”

Not only did Berk’s company support the race, his family and friends raised money through their team Logan’s Heroes, in honor of Berk’s son, Logan.

Having 30 family members and friends support Logan’s Heroes filled him with fatherly and family pride. This marks the 5th race for the team. “For me, it is about our core values and belief at Outback that our job is to consistently enhance the quality of life in our communities,” Berk explained.

His wife, Amy, said their son Logan enjoyed seeing all of the friends from the previous years, and “loved all of the mascots. He truly enjoys anyone dressed in a costume,” she said.

ACF Co-founder and CEO Linda Kuepper is grateful for the support from Berk and his staff, as well as the other sponsors, volunteers and supporters, for sharing the vital message of acceptance and inclusion, and for using their caring hearts – and delicious food -- to help make the race such a big success.

“ACF always strives to do its best for all of its special friends,” she said. “Going forward we need to continue on the path to provide these vital events and activities for our loved ones of all ages.”

The ACF Race for Resources offered a wide variety of family-friendly entertainment, including a DJ, moon bounce, video games bus, face-painting, Horsham Fire Department’s fire truck, several team mascots, and more.

“We race so that our loved ones with autism and other special needs can enjoy the same opportunities and acceptance as their peers,” explained ACF Executive Director Jacqui Makowski.

“We appreciate the support for Autism Cares Foundation which enables us to sustain a calendar of events full of inclusion, acceptance, and support for children, teens, and adults with autism and other special needs,” Makowski added.

For further information please go to Autism Cares Foundation.org or call 215-942-2273.

To check out the new Outback Steakhouse go to 650 Commerce Blvd, Oxford Valley/Fairless Hills or call 215-377-9479.