In case you haven't heard...

In less than 72 hours the world will be invaded by autism awareness. And no, I'm not assuming the entire world will know about our carnival (although that would be great.) Autism Speaks, an organization much larger than ours, but I venture to say with similar roots, has a "Light it up Blue" campaign that seems to be spreading like wildfire. Iconic landmarks around the world have pledged to Light It Up Blue in support of autism awareness. Schools and Universities have pledged to participate. Even individuals can go online and pledge to Light it up Blue.

Here is where Fresno Fell Short. The very university that houses the Central California Autism Center is not on the pledge list. With April 2nd right around the weekend corner I fear we are way too late to make it this year. But next year we better make sure there is a different story to tell. And I want to send in the pictures to prove it.

It is not too late for you to pledge. My kiddos and I have a date this afternoon with a few light bulbs and some blue paint.

The Power of Parents

What won't a parent do for their child? Especially the child that fights daily just to function in a world that seems set-up simply to sabotage them. The answer: Nothing. And here is the proof.

http://onedadbikeathon.blogspot.com/

I won't even try to retell his touching story. It's all there on his blog and it is A MUST READ. Please pass on his link to family and friends. Perhaps their hearts will be touched and they will contact the CCAC to make a donation. Perhaps it will help his cause and spread some awareness about Autism where it may not have been spread otherwise.

Then I challenge you to ask yourself what are you doing to help spread the word about Autism Awareness? If after your inner reflection you feel your falling a little short, do not fret. We have PLENTY of opportunities for you to participate in spreading te word during April, Autism Awareness Month. How? Well, thanks for asking.

1. Pie sale deadline has been extended to tomorrow. (This is due to an unexpected lack of pie sales. Make a few phone calls tonight and turn your forms and money in tomorrow. Who doesn't want an Easter pie?)
2. Invite people to the Kick-off to Autism Awareness Carnival.
3. Sale tickets to the Pasta Feed. (You can sign out tickets at the CCAC Office)
4. Pass out flyers to the Strike Out Autism Game and encourage people to pre-buy tickets with the form so the proceeds go to CCAC. (It is opening day for the Grizzlies. That means TONS of fun and even fireworks. C'mon, easy sell right?)

This is my top 4 list,. Check back tomorrow (if I am on schedule) for the next few ways YOU CAN SPREAD AUTISM AWARENESS.

Announcements

I am very tired tonight, even more than usual. So instead of my playful bantering you get a list of announcements.

1. Pie orders were due today. (This announcement is rather late and for that I apologize. I hope your pie orders got turned in so the CCAC can get the proceeds.)
2. The Autism Awareness Carnival is on Sat. Keep bringing in your donations of bottled water and soda.
3. Bake sale items for the carnival can be dropped off to the office on Thursday or brought to the carnival on Sat. morning.
   
4. We are in need of two kiddie pools to fill with bubbles for the carnival. Let me know if you have one and can bring it in.
5. There is a parent meeting this Thur. March 29 at 6:00pm in Kermen Education Building Room 54. Please RSVP the office if you will be utilizing the childcare so they can plan accordingly.
6. SELL, SELL, SELL. Strike Out Autism Flyers and Pasta Feed tickets are available in the office. The more we sell the more we raise.
   
7. If you or someone you know has experience in setting up a corporation/gaining non-profit status please contact me. The CCAC Booster Club is seeking to go official and we need legal guidance and counseling.
   
8. THANK YOU all for the time, energy and resources you put into the CCAC.
   

Where is my whiteout?

I have made a blunder. Please accept my apologies.

The CCAC will be closed on Friday, March 30. So, bring your donations and bake sale items to the office by Thursday, March 29 or to O'Neill Park on Saturday morning before the carnival.

I really need to budget time to proof read these BEFORE I post them and not after.

Our Month to Shout

Autism Awareness Month is rapidly approaching. And I, for one, am stoked.

stoked

   [stohkt]

adjective Slang

1.exhilarated; excited.

2. intoxicated or stupefied with a drug; high.

YES, STOKED! (Any word with stupefied in its definition should be associated with autism one way or another, right?) We have so many amazing things happening and an amazing team working on it all. We have one month every year that has been designated as our time to shout to the world. Lets make it count.

DISCLAIMER: If you feel like we just keep asking you for donations, time, etc. remember we are in full blast through April. We cool our jets in May giving everyone (including you) a break for a while.

But before I ask you for something else (and yes, I will be asking), I first want to say THANK YOU to everyone who has brought in donation items for the carnival. And if you haven't yet-I know your heart is in the right place-it's not too late. Bring them to the office anytime up to Thursday and even to O'Neill park on Saturday morning.

Now, here is our request:

DON'T FORGET WE NEED
BAKE SALE ITEMS FOR THE CARNIVAL.
They can be dropped off to office on Thursday March 29
or brought to O'Neill Park on Sat. morning, March 31

We want to have delicious, sugary treats people can buy as snack items at the Carnival. Items such as:

• cupcakes
• cookies
• muffins
• candy

We also need two small kiddie pools for bubble ponds. If you have one you can lend please let me know. And remember, the Carnival is all about Autism Awareness. It is free to all. So spread the word.

Parent Booster Club Meeting

FINAL MEETING BEFORE THE CARNIVAL
Tomorrow: Saturday, March 24
at 9:00 am
Kremen Building Atrium
(ED Room 54)

We have a small yet dedicated group of active parents that are regularly coming out to the meetings. And to them I say thank you. To the rest I say we miss you.

Some of you may be thinking things like...

• I haven't been coming and they seem to be doing fine without me.
  
• They don't need me there. I have so little to offer.
• I am too busy to come to meetings.
• What if I go and get sucked into a gargantuan commitment
  
• etc!

Here are my humble replies:

• We are such an infant organization and making tiny strides toward a long goal. We are anything but fine.
• No matter what talents and resources you bring-big or small-WE NEED YOU. Alone our voices are meek and lowly squeaks. Together our squeaks unite into a ROAR that gets attention. We can only help our kids by getting the world to pay attention to them. Let's start with our own little corner here in the valley.
  
• Schedules and lives are hectic, I know this first hand. Come to as many meetings as you can. No one expects more than you can give.
• When you do come, only volunteer to help where you are able. The more parents that participate in the Booster Club the more we can accomplish and the less burden each person has to bear.

Okay, I am officially putting my soap box away. You get the point.

See you tomorrow morning (in your PJ's if need be).

Kick-off

What do bouncehouses, face painting, music, food, games and autism all have in common? Why a carnival, of course!

This year we have hijacked the CCAC's Autism Awareness Field Day. Not only have we moved it to O'Neill Park (on Barstow behind the Science II building) but we are inviting everyone and anyone to attend. That's right. The carnival is an Autism Awareness Event and is kick-ing off Autism Awareness month-April.

WHAT: Carnival to Kick Off Autism Awareness Month
WHEN: Saturday, March 31, 2012 from 11:00am-4:00pm
WHERE: O'Neill Park
WHO: Everyone

In order for this to be a success we are going to need some help from you, the parents. A long list was sent home a couple of weeks ago with items we needed. The good news is we now have a lot of those items. The bad news is we still need a few more things. If you have not dropped of donations or are able to drop-ff a few more we have a newer and shorter list for you to work from.

You can drop off any of the following items to the CCAC
office anytime up to Friday, March 30.

Drink Sale Items

• Bottled Water
• Bottles or Cans of Soda
• Juice Boxes

Dollar Store Type Prize items for Carnival games

• Small Toys and Party Favors
  
• Individually Wrapped Candies
  
• Stickers, erasers, pencils, etc.
  

Bake Sale Items

• Cupcakes
• Cookies
• Brownies
• Muffins

Thank you all for your support and dedication. Together we can help awareness and fundraising events to be huge successes. And this can only help our little ones to also go on to be huge successes themselves.

Am I simplifying or complicating things?

The path of least resistance is the easiest to follow, right? Well, for those of us who have a front row seat to the autism show on a daily basis that road is difficult-darn near impossible-to find. So it is no surprise that as we push through the final minutes of the day we realize there were so many things we meant to do, but alas, they never got done. Maybe I am the only one who feels this way. And if I discover I am you may just find me balled up in the corner crying for myself. If you do...slap me to my senses. Then apologize for slapping me.

Anyway, the purpose of this blog may just fail-and mightily. But I am willing to give it a go anyway. What purpose you ask? I assume if you have managed to read through my ramblings this far you are curious. So here is:

CCAC PARENTS NEED AN EASIER WAY TO COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER AND SHARE IMPORTANT NEWS

I sat at my daughters t-ball practice this afternoon, freezing my hiney off on the metal bleachers, and thinking. We have sporadic parent meetings (and mind you I am trying desperately to get a system set-up so we will know exactly when those meetings will be), but is that enough? If we really want to help the center succeed-and I believe we all do- then we have to up our game. Then it hit me-we can meet on line. A blog home for us to share news, event info, ask questions, etc.

So I say welcome. Welcome to those parents interested in communicating via this blog. Welcome to those who may not be interested today but may be tomorrow. If this turns out to be a success than I will do my part and keep it going. Give me a shout if you are one of those interested. Share this with other CCAC parents. Make it a habit to check in regularly and this just might work. Good night!