World Autism Awareness Day Activities with Autism Speaks Canada
The Toronto skyline with the CN Tower, left, lit up blue for autism awareness
Canada joined the world in honouring the autism community on World Autism Awareness Day. Calgary City Hall, Edmonton City Hall joined Toronto iconic landmarks the CN Tower and the MaRS Centre in lighting it up blue.
Members of Parliament were handed Autism Speaks puzzle piece pins before entering the House of Commons by Jaden Lake, 14-year old son of Mike Lake, MP Edmonton-Mill Woods-Beaumont. Mr. Lake made a statement in the House highlighting the important relationships of siblings of those impacted by autism to honour his own daughter Jenae and the millions of siblings worldwide who play such important roles in the lives of their brothers and sisters with autism.
Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Team Up Foundation partnered with Autism Speaks Canada on two successful awareness nights with Toronto Raptors (March 31) and Toronto Maple Leafs (April 1). $14,000 was raised by volunteers from Toys”R”Us, Spin Master Toys, and local walk teams, with puzzle pieces present throughout – on coaches, broadcast staff, jumbo-trons.
Autism Speaks Canada Board Member Steven Wise, President of KRG Children’s Charitable Foundation, was presented with a cheque by Molson Canada, donated by Leafs player Phil Kessel in honour of his being named player of the Month for March.
KRG Children’s Charitable Foundation provided funding for an 8-page report on autism in Canada’s national newspaper, The Globe and Mail. Family profiles, research updates and information on Walk Now for Autism Speaks and corporate partnerships were highlighted throughout the report. A PDF version can be found at www.autismspeaks.ca
Well done Autism Speaks Canada (for everything). Thank you to everyone for your efforts.
A very big thank you to Steven Wise and everyone at the KRG Children’s Charitable Foundation for the G&M insert. We LOVED the Globe & Mail Autism section! Our entire family gets the G&M :).