Greg Strattner, manager of MoFroYo Frozen Yogurt in Westfield, displays a Blueberry froyo as part of Autism Awareness Month. The store will also feature Cotton Candy blue. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD – April is Autism Awareness Month and the community – including local businesses – is rallying to support local families affected by the developmental disorder.
Western New England Walk Now For Autism Speaks Committee Co-Chair Monica Donnelly and her walk team have partnered with MoFroYo this month to shine a light on autism.
April 2 is Autism Speaks’ Light It Up Blue and World Autism Day, and MoFroYo owner Todd Cieplinski is taking going blue for autism to the next level.
“With it being Light It Up Blue, we have brought back Cotton Candy and Blueberry froyo and we will have all blue beanbags this month,” Cieplinski said. “Our staff will be wearing Autism Speaks pins, and they have the option of wearing blue T-shirts in April.”
The Autism Speaks symbol is a blue puzzle piece and MoFroYo will support the Autism Speaks Puzzle Piece Campaign by selling paper puzzle pieces throughout April.
“People can decorate and color them and we will make a mural on the wall with them,” said Cieplinski.
Donnelly teamed up with MoFroYo last year to raise funds during two Spirit Nights and formed a great partnership with the frozen yogurt restaurant, she said.
This year, MoFroYo is hosting an Autism Spirit Night to raise funds and support Light It Up Blue Tuesday, April 2 starting at 4 p.m.
Donnelly said having MoFroYo not only support Autism Speaks, but be an autism-friendly business, means a lot to her family.
“My family and I frequent MoFroYo,” she said. “It’s one of the few places that my autistic son can go and I don’t have to worry. The staff is friendly and the atmosphere is very laid back. When Todd suggested he could help raise funds and, better yet raise awareness, I was elated. I am very excited to team up with MoFroYo for the month of April as well as some other events later in the year.”
“If you are looking for a good family friendly place to hang out MoFroYo is the place,” ” said Donnelly. “And the fact that Todd is helping make the community better by giving back to many different organizations, makes it that much better.”
Donnelly found Autism Speaks soon after her son’s diagnosis.
“Last year was my first year being involved and I am happy to take on a bigger role this year,” she said.
Cieplinski said Walk Now For Autism Speaks was a “good fit” with the company’s philosophy of giving back to youth in the community.
“Anything that has to do with children, education and athletics involving children, we really get behind to support,” he said. “This is something that affects a lot of children.”
Before opening MoFroYo a few years ago, Cieplinski knew very little about Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). As a parent of two healthy, “typical” children, Cieplinski said he wanted to help raise awareness and funds for families living with autism, as well as other disorders and diseases.
“I know what it’s like to be a parent,” he said. “I am blessed with two healthy children, but all children have their challenges and my philosophy is to give back.”
Other Westfield businesses and organizations are helping raise awareness and funds for autism this month, including Westfield and Northampton area Dunkin Donuts. For the first two weeks of April, the Northampton Dunkin Donuts locations will collect donations for Autism Speaks, and the Westfield area locations will collect donations the second half of the month. Mama Cakes will show its support April 2 with a special cupcake, and Whip City Gymnastics in Southwick and the Sons of Erin will also have coin collection canisters throughout April.
Westfield City Hall will Light It Up Blue April 2 and the Westfield Public Schools will raise money for Ryan’s Rally For Autism, a walk team from Westfield, with a “Dress Down and Blue” event April 2. The community is encouraged to go blue, too, to show support for families living with autism.
“”If you are looking for ways to raise awareness, or want to get more involved, we would love to have you join the committee,” said Donnelly. “Other ways to help are change the light bulb on your porch to a blue one – Home Depot has them on sale for a few bucks. People can also wear the color blue on April 2 and snap a picture and post it on social media with #LLUB. We appreciate all of your support.”
ASD is the fastest growing developmental disorder in the world. The Centers for Disease Control announced last week that one in 68 children – and one in 42 boys – under age 21 has autism. This is a 29-percent increase since 2012. Autism Speaks is the world’s largest source of research and resources for autism. Autism is not attributed to one cause, however, Autism Speaks announced last week a scientific breakthrough of a distinctive link between autism and prenatal development.
The Western New England Walk Now For Autism Speaks is set for Sept. 20 at Stanley Park. The Westfield News has teamed up with Autism Speaks to be a walk media partner this year. Teams are forming and registering now. To find out more – or to form a team, join a team, or donate – visit walknowforautismspeaks.org/wne.
