What began as a sweet idea to support autism research has evolved into a powerful fundraising campaign for Rett Syndrome. Since launching its cookie giveback program on National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day in 2021, Picazzo’s Healthy Italian Kitchen has raised over $47,000 for the Rett Syndrome Research Trust (RSRT) by donating $1 for every chocolate chip cookie dessert sold.

The locally owned restaurant group, with six locations across the Valley, introduced the program as a way to give back to families affected by autism—a cause close to the hearts of loyal customers. Two years in, the mission became deeply personal for Managing Partner Chris Disney, whose daughter was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome, a rare and debilitating neurological disorder on the spectrum.

“Having a child diagnosed with a life-altering disease can make you feel helpless,” Disney said. “The success of Picazzo’s Raising for Rett campaign gives us a way to help our daughter by funding critical gene editing and gene therapy research that could improve her chances for a better future.”

Rett Syndrome combines symptoms of cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, and anxiety disorder, and can severely impact a person’s ability to walk, talk, eat, and breathe.

Supporters can participate simply by ordering Picazzo’s chocolate chip cookie dessert - featuring a warm, fresh-baked chocolate chip cookie served in a skillet, topped with locally made vanilla bean gelato or coconut ice cream and finished with a choice of organic chocolate, raspberry, or salted caramel sauce - at any of the six locations.

The dessert is gluten-free and dairy-free, except for the gelato. Additional donations to Picazzo’s Raising for Rett campaign can be made directly at rettgive.org. For more information, visit picazzos.com.