UPDATE April 2, 2015 / During the March 17 City Council Meeting, Mayor George Pradel read a proclamation recognizing that April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day in Naperville. Representatives from Turning Pointe, Little Friends, Giant Steps, Western DuPage Special Recreation Association, Ray Graham, School Districts 203 and 204 were on hand to accept the proclamation. Former City Councilman Kenn Miller, Vice President of Community Relations for Autism Home Support Services, noted that blue light bulbs were available for residents to use in their porch lights to help raise awareness all during the month of April.
UPDATE April 2, 2014 / Today is World Autism Day, a time to illuminate understanding about autism spectrum disorders known as ASD. During the April 1 City Council meeting, the city proclaimed April 2 to the be “World Autism Awareness Day in Naperville.”
Blue lights will shine April 1-13, followed by green lights for Earth Day
Naperville’s Millennium Carillon will honor World Autism Awareness month by shining blue lights from Moser Tower from April 1-13, 2014.
On April 14 the lights will change to green in celebration of Earth Day activities throughout the rest of the month.
The annual lighting schedule includes red, white and blue lighting for Independence Day and Veterans Day, orange lighting for Halloween, blue lighting for Hanukkah, and red/green for Christmas.
For more information about the Moser Tower lighting schedule, visit www.napervilleparks.org.
Editor’s Note: Earlier today, PN had a number of requests regarding the purchase of blue light bulbs or other locations where they might be available in order to display support for National Autism Awareness Month.
We checked at a nearby Menard’s where they have a wide variety of blue lights ranging from about $1.50 to $5. It’s likely most local hardware stores have a similar selection in the “Party Light Bulb” section.
Beginning on Tues., April 1, and while they last, blue light bulbs will be compliments of Turning Pointe Autism Foundation, located at 1500 W. Ogden Ave. Individuals are welcome to stop by the school to pick up a light bulb to help illuminate understanding autism and its spectrum of disorders.
Also, blue lights will be handed out at the Naperville City Council Meeting beginning at 7PM Tues., April 1, when a proclamation by Mayor George Pradel will be read regarding National Autism Awareness Month.
Fore! Golfers! “Tee Up for Autism” will be held at the Stonebridge Country Club on Tues., May 13, 2014. The proceeds from this fundraiser will provide funds for the Autism Family Foundation grant program. For more information or to register for golf, visit www.autismfamilyfoundation.net. The reservation deadline for the “lunch only” is April 20. Payments can be mailed to Autism Family Foundation, PO BOX 101 Eola, IL 605019.
Save the date! Going forward, awareness for the complex development disability also will be heightened when Little Friends hosts its annual Step Up for Autism, set this year on June 22 along the Riverwalk.
The popular event will help benefit children and adults with autism right here in our community who are served by Little Friends and the Little Friends Center for Autism.
Meanwhile, place a blue light bulb in a lamp and “Light it up for Autism.”
RELATED POST: Groups will create awareness throughout the community
CDC LINK: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Facts via Center for Disease Control
