ACT Today! Luncheon Raises over $25K for autistic families in need

Submitted by Laura Marroquin

 Parents and supporters of children with autism gathered for a special Love, Hope and Healing: A Mother's Day Luncheon , held at The Resort at Pelican Hill on May 4th, in NewportCoast. The event was hosted by Autism Care and Treatment (ACT Today!). Attendees and supporters included Lisa Ackerman of TACA, Philanthropist Sandy Stone, and Fran and Karen Ursini, owners of Newport/Naples Company and Bill and Poita Cernius, Executive Board Member of ACT Today!

 "The gift of hope is the best gift a mother can receive. We wanted to show mothers of children on the autism spectrum love by treating them to a day of inspiration at one of the most beautiful resorts in the world, The fact that we raised over $25,000 for families in need of effective autism services while doing that is simply marvelous." says ACT Today!'s Executive Director Nancy Alspaugh-Jackson.

In addition to a silent auction, the ACT Today! fundraiser luncheon featured Honorary Guests Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh, a world renowned autism researcher and psychologist, who has recently been noted for her award-winning documentary "RECOVERED: Journeys Through the Autism Spectrum and Back" and fellow autism expert and biomedical clinician, Dr. Jeffrey Bradstreet.

"As the mother of a son who's recovered from autism, my heart goes out to families who are unable to afford treatments which will help their children," says Event Producer Laura Marroquin. "It was a  privilege to indirectly help by being part of this fabulous event."

Sponsors of this event included David and Sandy Stone and Family, Newport / Naples Rib Companies, Oxy Health, Reaction Audio Visual and Rinekwall. To find out more about ACT Today! or to apply for a grant, go to www.act-today.org