Dominos

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Favorite Fun Idea

Have fun with setting up a puzzle to put together in the breakroom, but to make it a great fundraising idea - have people pay a penny or other determined amount for each piece they are able to put into the puzzle. The puzzle piece is the symbol for Autism and puzzles can be very addicting when someone wants to see it finished. A five hundred piece puzzle could raise five dollars at a penny a piece.

Maybe make it more challening and charge each time a piece does not go where one thought it would?

Fundraising Ideas for Autism

The easiest way to get new materials for your local library or Autism organization's library would be to contact the authors of new materials and ask them to donate them on behalf of your organization of choice.

In-kind donations for books could also be asked from bookstores, if it is difficult to locate how to contact an author for particular materials.

Maybe you could look into becoming a member, as dues and membership fees often help to support organizations to keep their doors open.

Cash donations in even the smallest of amounts are always welcome by any organization supporting Autism.

NOW FOR THE REALLY FUN AND UNIQUE IDEAS -

Maybe you have co-workers that you could challenge to help with the cause?

Who can collect the most bottles and cans to turn in and donate?

Get your company to support Autism causes by matching your donation. It will feel good and look like you are giving twice as much.

Ask your company to sponsor your Autism organization through United Way.

Have a fundraising bake sale at the office and donate the proceeds.

If you have a birthday coming up - maybe instead of getting gifts that just are not you - ask people to donate to your Autism cause.

Get friends to join together and participate in your local Walk for Autism - getting exercise, having fun and doing it with friends is the way to go.

Find something you enjoy and turn it into a way to help a great cause!

Autism Society of Maine's Library

In my last posting, I mentioned that I am a volunteer fundraiser for the Autism Society of Maine. ASM's program that I enjoy fundraising for is their library.

ASM's library is full of information about Autism, but with the influx of new knowledge and materials that are available today - it is very hard for ASM to keep up with the costs of obtaining new materials.

The Autism Society of Maine is dear to me as that is where I did my internship for my Mental Health and Human Services degree, but I encourage you to find your own local organizations and help them raise funds and helping to spread Autism Awareness.

FEELING GOOD

Doing good for others makes me feel good. I feel great each time I have been able to help even in the smallest of ways.

What have you done recently that has made you feel good right to the center of your being?

I volunteer for the Autism Society of Maine. I am currently a volunteer fundraiser obtaining donations for the upcoming "FAMILY RETREAT."

This retreat is one where families from all over the state of Maine can meet and spend the weekend together.

What does this weekend mean to these families?

It means that no one will look at you and think that your child is spoiled if they have a tantrum.

It means that no one will think twice about your child walking around on their toes.

It means that no one will judge you for letting your child eat the same thing every meal that they are there.

It means that they will be amongst friends that suffer or have suffered from some of the same problems you have faced but in different ways.

I am feeling good trying to put together door prizes for the parents of these children so that they may be able to have another short break from their life of Autism.

DOING GOOD FOR OTHERS - Lesson 2

Lesson #2 - The diagnosis of Autism is now 1 in 110 here in the United States. Here in the state of Maine there is a prevalence rate of 1 in 67.

Now, back to doing good for others -

Where I live in Maine, there is the Autism Society of Maine.

I became aware of this very small nonprofit organization when I was a Certified Nursing Assistant for a family that had nonverbal twin boys, each having a diagnosis of Autism, but both completely different from the other.

Working with these children, I had to become educated on what Autism was and what to expect.

What I learned is that no two people with Autism will ever be the same as it is a "spectrum" disorder. People with Autism are just as unique and individual as you and I are.

"How was learning about Autism doing good for others," you may be asking yourself.

I was able to make myself more educated so that the parents of these boys were more secure in that their children were safe when with me, that I had the knowledge to be patient and to keep the house as calm as possible even in crisis as one child in crisis could set the other off.

I was aware in listening to co-workers that would work with the children as well so that their needs and safety were met as well.

Doing Good for Others - Lesson 1

Do you ever find yourself thinking about what you are doing with your life?

Do you question how you can feel good about something you have done?

I have and what I have found is that my mother was right. It is better to give than receive. So now I try to give my time, my knowledge and sometimes some of my money to something that I believe in.

You must be living in a box if you have not heard about Autism. Autism is EVERYWHERE. Right now, April is Autism Awareness month. Autism has been in the news due to the ever rising prevalence.

Jenny McCarthy, a former PLAYBOY playmate is pictured above with her son Evan, can you tell that Evan has a diagnosis of Autism?

Doug Flutie, a famous football player has a son with Autism.

Dan Marino, Hall of Fame quarterback for the NFL team Miami Dolphins also has a son with Autism.

Sylvester Stallone also has a son that was diagnosed with Autism as a child.

So lesson one on making yourself aware is Autism strikes boys four times more than girls.