Showing posts with label Light It Up Blue. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Light It Up Blue. Show all posts

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Joe's Crab Shack

Autism Light #385 is Joe's Crab Shack.


Joe's Crab Shack is an American chain of seafood casual dining restaurants owned by Ignite Restaurant Group. They were founded in 1991 and have headquarters in Houston, Texas. They have approximately 135 restaurants in 35 states in the United States. Joe's Crab Shack is an Autism Light because of their demonstrated dedication to raise money for autism through Autism Speaks during autism awareness month in April. Not counting ongoing efforts in 2015, they have raised $2.5 million for autism.

Here is a brief summary of the support Joe's Crab Shack has given to Autism Speaks for three years.

2013: Joe's Crab Shack started their corporate giving to Autism Speaks in April, 2013. Their first year they raised over $1 million for Autism Speaks. Joe's Crab Shack accepted donations online and in their restaurants. They have a signature Piece of the Puzzle tie-dye T-shirt they sell.

2014: In April 2014, Joe's Crab Shack raised $1.3 million for Autism Speaks in their second annual #JoesGoesBlue Campaign. Customers were given coupons for free food as they joined in the campaign. They were also given the opportunity to purchase Joe's Crab Shack's signature Piece of the Puzzle tie-dye T-shirt to support Autism Speaks. At the time the money raised was a record for Joe's Crab Shack's history of philanthropy (Joe's Crab Shack, Media Release, May 14, 2014).  Autism Speaks has a news release on their partnership with Joe's Crab Shack. On April 2, restaurants in the Joe's Crab Shack chain also went blue for Light it Up Blue. 

2015: In April 2015, Joe's Crab Shack continues to raise money in their third annual #JoesGoesBlue Campaign. They have a goal to exceed $1 million in donations again in 2015 (Joe's Crab Shack News Release, April 1, 2015).

Liz Feld, President of Autism Speaks said about Joe's Crab Shack,
We are grateful for the outstanding commitment Joe's and its guests have shown the autism community both locally and nationally. The #JoesGoesBlue campaign brought awareness to new audiences. And Joe's fundraising efforts will further our investment in innovative research, and our advocacy efforts for individuals and families affected by autism (Market Watch, Joe's Crab Shack, May 14, 2014)

Wikipedia: You can learn more about Joe's Crab Shack at the Joe's Crab Shack Wikipedia Page.

Social Media:  Several of the local franchises in Joe's Crab Shack have their own Facebook page.

Also, you can follow Joe's Crab Shack on Twitter@Joes_Crab_Shack.  Their Twitter account visibly demonstrates their support for autism.





Special thanks to Joe's Crab Shack for their support of autism and Autism Speaks. Joe's Crab Shack is a fine representative of the many businesses that are shining their light for autism and engaging their customers in raising awareness throughout the year, and especially for autism awareness month. Joe's Crab Shack will be featured on the Autism Light Business Page.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

 Photo: The photo of a Joe's Crab Shack restaurant was taken from the Wikipedia Creative Commons.
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Sunday, November 2, 2014

Carolina Panthers

Autism Light #362 is the Carolina Panthers. 


The Carolina Panthers are a football team in the National Football League located in Charlotte, North Carolina. They were organized on October 26, 1993 as an expansion team in the NFL.  The Carolina Panthers are an Autism Light because of their compassion towards people with autism. The Carolina Panthers are the first NFL team to be named an Autism Light and will be placed today on the Autism Light Sports page.

The Carolina Panthers played their first season in 1995. They reached Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004 and lost to the New England Patriots. At the time it was the most watched Super Bowl in history. The Carolina Panthers have many fans in the Carolina area and around the country, but two of their biggest fans have autism and the team has reached out to them.

Alphonzo "Fonz" McDonald:   Alphonzo is a 15 year old boy who has autism. He is such a big fan of the Carolina Panthers that his room is decorated in blue and black.  When asked what his sports dream would be, Fonz said, "I want to play wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers (MyFox8.com, Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers Make Dream Come True for Young Autistic Fan)!" 

On Saturday, October 25, 2014, Fonz got the opportunity to play wide receiver at a Carolina Panthers practice. He was then given a tailgate party, pregame field passes, and tickets for the game on October 26 when Carolina played the Seattle Seahawks. The Arc of North Carolina helped make the connection between Fonz and the Carolina Panthers. 

Here is a video of radio coverage of this special moment for a boy with autism.


Carolina Panthers Help Dream Come True for Autistic Boy from HIS Radio on Vimeo.

The following is a tweet on Twitter about Alphonzo McDonald meeting the Carolina Panthers. Fonz is the happy young man wearing the blue jersey.



Dave: .Dave is a young adult with autism. He is also known as Brother Dave. He is a huge Carolina Panthers fan. You can see a YouTube video where he reviews a game Carolina played against Green Bay in 2011. In 2011 the team gave Dave a signed football and tickets to a game. Here is a video of Dave receiving the gifts on behalf of the Carolina Panthers organization.



Light It Up Blue: In addition to their concern for individuals with autism the Carolina Panthers participated in a visible way in the community as the Bank of America Stadium where they play was displayed in blue lights for Autism Awareness Month in April, 2014.

Social Media:  To follow the Carolina Panthers on social media visit these pages.
For more information on the Carolina Panthers visit these links:
Special thanks to the Carolina Panthers for shining a light on the cause autism through their autism awareness efforts.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.
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Sunday, April 7, 2013

Hernando High School Interact Club

Autism Light #268 is Hernando High School Interact Club. 


Hernando High School is located in Hernando, Mississippi in DeSota County, Mississippi. The high school's Interact Club has provided leadership for an annual community observance of the "Light It Up Blue" Campaign, beginning in April, 2012, in observance of World Autism Awareness Day. Hernando High School's Interact Club is an Autism Light for leading their community in the Autism Speaks Light It Up Blue Campaign for Autism Awareness Day in April.

For two years Hernando High School's Interact Club has been able to get the high school and many community businesses to light their buildings up blue. Holly Neel and Angela Gregg are two of the clubs teacher/sponsors.

2012 "Light It Up Blue": Here is a video of Hernando High School's Interact Clubs first "Light It Up Blue" project in 2012 that was produced by Kerry Magro for Kerry's Corner. Kerry Magro was Autism Light #119.
The "Light It Up Blue" Campaign was a highlight of the Interact Club's goal to serve their community and earned them the "Business of the Month" award in May, 2012. The school's website explains the importance of the "Light It Up Blue" campaign to the Interact Club organization in this way. 
Hernando High School Interact Club, which is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Hernando, is made up of approximately 110 members and 4 sponsors. In April of 2012, the HHS Interact Club hosted the first "Light It Up Blue" event at Hernando's historic Square. This event brought over 500 people to the square in hopes of spreading autism awareness (Source). 
2013 "Light It Up Blue": Hernando High School's Interact Club held their 2nd Annual "Light It Up Blue" campaign in 2013. Here is a video of their special efforts in 2013.

Thanks to the efforts of the Interact Club, there is now a special "Light It Up Blue" page as part of the Clubs and Organizations at Hernando High School Website and "Light It Up Blue" has become an annual event for the high school and community. Special thanks to the Hernando High School Interact Club. It is hoped that the example they have set will influence those that follow them at Hernando High School and other schools around the world to lead autism awareness in their communities. 

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.
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Saturday, July 14, 2012

Graceland Mansion

Autism Light #212 is Graceland Mansion. 















Graceland Mansion was the home of the late Elvis Presley from 1957-1977.  Graceland became a National Historic Landmark on March 27, 2006 and is located in Memphis, Tennessee. Graceland Mansion is an Autism Light for their participation in the Autism Speaks Light It Up Blue Campaign for Autism Awareness in April.

Wikipedia describes Graceland as "a large white-columned mansion and 13.8-acre (5.6 ha) estate that was home to Elvis Presley in Memphis, Tennessee. It is located at 3764 Elvis Presley Boulevard in the vast Whitehaven community about 9 miles (14.5 km) from Downtown and less than four miles (6 km) north of the Mississippi border. It currently serves as a museum. It was opened to the public on June 7, 1982 (Source)."  It is the second most popular private residence in the United States for tours behind the White House. You can learn more about Graceland through their Wikipedia Page. 

 Autism Mother's Crusade: Cindy Wynn-Brandon was instrumental in helping obtain Graceland's first year of involvement in the Light It Up Blue campaign in 2012. Cindy Wynn-Brandon has a 9 year old son named Noah who has autism. More on her story and involvement was featured on the Autism Speaks blog.

The Light It Up Blue Ceremony: Here is a video of the Graceland Mansion Light It Up Blue ceremony held on April 4, 2012, featuring Kerry Magro who was Autism Light # 119. Kerry Magro is doing a excellent job in his role of helping draw attention to landmarks who are going to Light It Up Blue for autism awareness.




For information on Graceland visit their website at http://www.elvis.com/graceland/.  Graceland also issued an online news release on their participation in the Light It Up Blue campaign.  

Special thanks to Graceland Mansion for their willingness to Light It Up Blue. Graceland Mansion holds two distinctions on the Autism Light blog. They are the first landmark participating in the Autism Speaks Light It Up Blue Campaign to be featured on Autism Light. Graceland Mansion is also the first Autism Light from the State of Tennessee.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

Photo: The photo of Graceland Mansion is in the Creative Commons of Wikipedia and is attributed to Jan Kronsell.  
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Saturday, October 22, 2011

Boston Red Sox

Autism Light Classic
Updated on October 31, 2013. 
Autism Light #73 is the Boston Red Sox.


The Boston Red Sox are a Major League Baseball Team located in Boston, Massachusetts. They were organized in 1901 and were one of 8 charter teams that started Major League Baseball at the turn of the 20th century. The Boston Red Sox have won 8 World Championships to date, including the 2013 World Series. The Boston Red Sox are an Autism Light because of their compassion in lending a helping hand to individuals with autism and their long standing commitment to autism awareness.

The Boston Red Sox have supported autism since 2001, when they held their first fundraiser on behalf of the National Alliance of Autism Research (NAAR). NAAR merged with Autism Speaks in 2005 (Red Sox to Celebrate Autism Awareness Day at Fenway Park, MLB.com).

2013 Light It Up Blue: On April 2, 2013, the facade near Gate A on Yawkey Way at Fenway Park was lit up blue as the Boston Red Sox participated for their 3rd consecutive year in the Autism Speaks Light It Up Blue Initiative (Fenway Lights Up Blue for Autism Awareness, Boston.com). Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, was one of 7,000 landmarks from around the world to be involved in Autism Speaks' Light It Up Blue campaign.

2013 Autism Awareness Day: On April 28, 2013, the Boston Red Sox hosted Autism Awareness Day at their game against the Houston Astros (Boston Red Sox Host Autism Awarness Day, Autism Speaks). The Boston Red Sox hosted over 900 individuals with autism and family members and caregivers at their Autism Awareness Day. Red Sox fan Brian Ferraro whose son Ryan has autism said at the event:
I've been wanting to come here (to Fenway) with my kids for a while--in fact, I have a younger child, who is a typical child, and it didn't feel right just taking him. But now that we have days like this that are welcoming for the intimidated, I think it's going to allow for more families, more families with autistic kids to attend wonderful games like this. I'm really thrilled to say that I have my two kids here with me for the first time in my life, a lifelong dream of mine (Boston Red Sox Host Autism Awarness Day, Autism Speaks).
Here is Autism Light Gianno Hitsos singing God Bless America at the Boston Red Sox Autism Awareness Game in 2013.


2007 National Anthem: The following event from the Boston Red Sox Disability Awareness Day in the Summer of 2007 epitomizes the organization's inspirational outreach for autism and disabilities. This is a video clip where a man with autism is offered a helping hand in finishing the National Anthem after he gets nervous in the middle of the song.

Two previous Autism Lights with autism were also given the opportunity to sing the United States National Anthem at Fenway Park for the start of a Boston Red Sox game.
Social Media:  To follow Boston Red Sox on social media visit these pages.
For more information on the Boston Red Sox visit these links:
Special thanks to the Boston Red Sox for shining a light on the cause autism through their autism awareness efforts. Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.
This Autism Light post was featured on the Boston Pro Sports Daily on October 22, 2011.
This Autism Light post went into syndication at Autisable.
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