Westfield and Southwick are joining communities around the globe in recognizing World Autism Awareness Day April 2.
Westfield Public Schools and City Hall are supporting the Western New England Walk Now For Autism Speaks through Dress Down and Blue fundraisers. For a donation to team Ryan’s Rally For Autism, municipal employees can dress down Thursday and wear blue, the recognized color of Autism Speaks and autism awareness, also recognized by the puzzle piece symbol.
City Hall will once again participate in Autism Speaks’ Light It Up Blue campaign by changing the building’s spotlights to the color blue.
Southwick Town Hall and Southwick Police Department will also be bathed in blue Thursday.
Town Hall will also Dress Down and Blue and challenged the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District to do the same.
Dress down organizers Cindy Pendleton and Victoria Hickey hope all Town Hall employees will participate.
Southwick employees are also forming a walk team and hope to participate in the walk, which takes place Sept. 26 at Stanley Park. Teams can register now at www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/wne.
Southwick and Westfield will join historic and iconic landmarks going blue April 2, including Niagara Falls, the Taj Majal and the Sydney Opera House.
Autism Speaks was founded in 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright, grandparents of a child with autism. In the past 10 years it has grown into the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. Last year, the Western New England Walk raised more than $160,000 and drew more than 100 teams, and grants were given locally to Community Resources for People with Autism and the Greater Springfield YMCA’s special needs aquatics program.
Autism Speaks’ web site, www.autismspeaks.org, has information on autism spectrum disorders and resources, including kits on everything from potty training to getting a haircut. Autism Speaks is also expanding its resources for people with autism transitioning into adulthood.
To support World Autism Awareness Day April 2 – and Autism Awareness Month in April – wear blue, purchase a blue light bulb at Home Depot and light your home or office blue. Autism Speaks is encouraging everyone to take pictures of how you Light It Up Blue and post to social media with the hashtag #LIUB.
