Wayne County Star article
Sodus Fundraiser Held to Raise Money for Autism
Eric Marlowe Wayuga Staff WriterWednesday, April 25 2007
SODUS—For the second year a fundraiser will be held to raise money for autism research and to heighten awareness of the disability.The fundraiser includes a bake sale and craft sale as well as family-oriented activities. There will also be raffle items.The sale begins on May 5 at 9 a.m. at Dynalec in Sodus and will continue until all the goods are sold.Organizer Erin Mast said the fundraiser has grown since its first year. “We had a bake sale last year but this year it will be much bigger.”Last year’s bake sale raised about $200.She started the fundraiser for families in Wayne County who are affected by autism including her own. Mast has three children two of whom were diagnosed with autism only weeks after they moved to Sodus from Maryland in August of 2005.“There’s not a lot of funding or research for these kids,” Mast said. “We have to do more as a society to help these kids.”Having two children with autism makes it difficult to conduct daily activities such as grocery shopping. The children must also attend occupational, speech, play and music therapy among other therapy. They attend formal therapy five days a week as well as informal therapy on the weekends. “It’s very tedious,” she said.Autism is a disability with no definite cause, treatment or cure. Mast hopes that if she can make people more aware of autism it will cause them to support local families affected by the disability.The money raised by the sale will help a number of different organizations including Autism Speaks and Out of the Rain. Mast is also hoping to start a non-profit autism program in Wayne County. Part of the money raised will help pay legal fees needed to start the new program.“There are numerous non profit organizations that raise money for research but few who actually aid families. My goal is to start a non-profit organization that could assist families that are affected by autism. When things are needed but can’t be afforded, our organization might be of some assistance. Autism can be time consuming and expensive. I just want there to be a place for parents to turn to for help.”Mast said the fundraiser would do more than just raise money. “It will raise awareness. We want to help families affected by autism but also make the general population aware of the disability.“My main goal is to make people understand,” she said. “People might see a child misbehaving in public but it might not be because they’re bad. They may have autism. My goal is to raise awareness and acceptance of the disability.”Flyers will be distributed during the fundraiser that will include information on the disability and statistics. The community has been supportive in helping make the fundraiser possible, according to Mast. “We live in a wonderful place,” she said. “We’ve had local merchants donate items for the raffle. Dynalec has donated their space for the fundraiser and local churches have also donated tables for us to use.”Mast and her friend Vicki Sackett have also recently started a support group for families dealing with autism. The Sodus Presbyterian Church has allowed the group to use its space to hold meetings. “We are a support system of parents with special needs children,” Mast said. “We meet every first Wednesday of the month from 7- 8 p.m. We have a small group of parents that attend every month.”Baked goods, raffle items and homemade crafts are still needed for the May 5 fundraiser. To donate items, contact Mast at 878-2202.
Eric Marlowe Wayuga Staff WriterWednesday, April 25 2007
SODUS—For the second year a fundraiser will be held to raise money for autism research and to heighten awareness of the disability.The fundraiser includes a bake sale and craft sale as well as family-oriented activities. There will also be raffle items.The sale begins on May 5 at 9 a.m. at Dynalec in Sodus and will continue until all the goods are sold.Organizer Erin Mast said the fundraiser has grown since its first year. “We had a bake sale last year but this year it will be much bigger.”Last year’s bake sale raised about $200.She started the fundraiser for families in Wayne County who are affected by autism including her own. Mast has three children two of whom were diagnosed with autism only weeks after they moved to Sodus from Maryland in August of 2005.“There’s not a lot of funding or research for these kids,” Mast said. “We have to do more as a society to help these kids.”Having two children with autism makes it difficult to conduct daily activities such as grocery shopping. The children must also attend occupational, speech, play and music therapy among other therapy. They attend formal therapy five days a week as well as informal therapy on the weekends. “It’s very tedious,” she said.Autism is a disability with no definite cause, treatment or cure. Mast hopes that if she can make people more aware of autism it will cause them to support local families affected by the disability.The money raised by the sale will help a number of different organizations including Autism Speaks and Out of the Rain. Mast is also hoping to start a non-profit autism program in Wayne County. Part of the money raised will help pay legal fees needed to start the new program.“There are numerous non profit organizations that raise money for research but few who actually aid families. My goal is to start a non-profit organization that could assist families that are affected by autism. When things are needed but can’t be afforded, our organization might be of some assistance. Autism can be time consuming and expensive. I just want there to be a place for parents to turn to for help.”Mast said the fundraiser would do more than just raise money. “It will raise awareness. We want to help families affected by autism but also make the general population aware of the disability.“My main goal is to make people understand,” she said. “People might see a child misbehaving in public but it might not be because they’re bad. They may have autism. My goal is to raise awareness and acceptance of the disability.”Flyers will be distributed during the fundraiser that will include information on the disability and statistics. The community has been supportive in helping make the fundraiser possible, according to Mast. “We live in a wonderful place,” she said. “We’ve had local merchants donate items for the raffle. Dynalec has donated their space for the fundraiser and local churches have also donated tables for us to use.”Mast and her friend Vicki Sackett have also recently started a support group for families dealing with autism. The Sodus Presbyterian Church has allowed the group to use its space to hold meetings. “We are a support system of parents with special needs children,” Mast said. “We meet every first Wednesday of the month from 7- 8 p.m. We have a small group of parents that attend every month.”Baked goods, raffle items and homemade crafts are still needed for the May 5 fundraiser. To donate items, contact Mast at 878-2202.
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