New Autism Society formed in Pender County

"Originally, we started out as mothers of autistic children who would meet for coffee to discuss the disability. We decided that we may as well form an organization, so we contacted the Director of Chapter Relations for the North Carolina Autism Society, Ann Palmer; and with her help, we were an official organization by December and held our first meeting in January," explained Pender County Autism Society of North Carolina President, Denise Jones.

The organization is dedicated to helping people diagnosed with autism and their family members. However, the organization takes no official position when it comes to particular treatments on the disease.

"We get together and talk about what we each tried, what we find what works and what doesn't. But we don't condemn or condone particular methods, because what works for one kid might not work for another, so we just pass along what we know," said Jones.

The Pender County Autism Society has teamed up with the Sloop Point Loop Fire Department for an Autism Awareness Fundraiser on April 26 from 12 to 4 p.m. at Kiwanis Park in Hampstead.

The "fun" will definitely be in the fundraiser with a lot full of inflatables. Children can participate in unlimited bouncing and sliding with the purchase of a bracelet for five dollars.

Included with the purchase of a bracelet will be a chance to play "whack the wreck." That's the classic game where an older car is imported to the premises to be made even uglier by people who want to hit it with a sledgehammer. The identity of this year's junker is being kept secret until the day of the fundraiser.

The Sloop Point Loop Fire Department will also be on hand to demonstrate the fun and power of their fleet of fire vehicles. After the kids (and adult kids) will be mesmerized by the horns and lights and fire suits, a local celebrity is scheduled to appear: Sparky the Firedog!

For those that need to be replenished after a day of bouncing down sliding, bashing cars, honking horns, and playing with dogs; their will be refreshments. Domino's Pizza will be on-sight serving their famous slices and cold drinks for the duration of the fundraiser.

At noon, the Fundraiser will hold a halftime auction. That's right - auction, not a raffle. Local businesses have donated all sorts of gift baskets that will go to, not a lucky person, but the person who wants it the most and is willing to pay for it.

The money from the fundraiser will benefit many different aspects of the Autism Society. It will go towards things like educating local teachers in understanding how to better to teach the autistic and educating the public about the disease as well. Funds will also be used to send autistic children to camps for autistic children - A scholarship will be given to one Pender County child with Autism to attend summer camp at the ASNC Summer Camp.

"We want to give a big thank you to all the businesses that donated gifts to the auction, and we‘re also glad that they let us promote a general awareness about the disease. For example, we want people to know that sometimes what they see in public may not be a spoiled child, there might be something more going on there," said Jones.

For more information on the fundraiser, call Jones at 910 270-4039. Parents wanting to join the parent's support group are invited to come to meetings at Topsail Presbyterian Church on the first and third Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. Childcare is usually available, but parents are encouraged to call and make sure of that ahead of time.

Local Shop Starfish Supports National Autism Awareness Month

Surf City, NC - Local gift shop, Starfish Gifts announces the arrival of Blue Elephant Creations, a product line of baby apparel and accessories designed by Tristan Bramblett, a 9-year-old boy from North Carolina afflicted with autism.

Products ranging from baby bibs and burp cloths to towels and robes are available for purchase, with a portion of all proceeds being donated towards a foundation for children with Autism.

The month of April is being observed as National Autism Awareness Month to raise awareness and advocacy on the complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person's ability to communicate and interact with others. According to the Autism Society of America, 1 in 150 American children are affected by autism, and nearly 1 in 94 boys.

For more information on Tristan Bramblett, please visit www.blueelephantcreations.com. For more information on Starfish Gifts, please visit www.starfishgifts.com.