The Dan Marino Foundation has teamed up with five South Florida autism agencies to create the 1st Annual Dan Marino Foundation WalkAbout Autism, benefiting the Autism Societies of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, UM-NSU CARD (Center for Autism & Related Disabilities), FAU CARD, and the Dan Marino Foundation. This exciting and unique event will take place on Saturday, January 29th, 2011 from 10 am to 2 pm at the home of the Miami Dolphins, Sun Life Stadium.
Driven by individuals with autism and their families and friends, this historic fundraising effort will generate crucial funds for the autism community of South Florida. Corporate sponsorships are available, and corporate teams are encouraged to join the fun. All proceeds raised through this event will stay in our local community and benefit autism services, and awareness. Participating schools in South Florida will receive 25% of the money raised by their teams to support special needs programming in their school. Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disorder. According to the Center for Disease Control, 1 in 110 children in the United States have autism.
“As parents of children with autism, my wife Rachel and I are thrilled to be a part of the Dan Marino Foundation WalkAbout Autism,” noted Jeff Ireland, General Manager of the Miami Dolphins. “We know first hand the importance of support services for children and adults with autism and this event will raise money specifically for those services right here in South Florida. Having the event at Sun Life Stadium where Dan played his Hall of Fame career for the Miami Dolphins seemed like the perfect choice.”
Celebrity walk attendees include:
• Dan Marino: Legendary Hall of Fame & Miami Dolphins Quarterback
• Rachel & Jeff Ireland, Miami Dolphins General Manager
• Alumni Miami Dolphins Players
• Miami-Dade and Broward County Elected Officials
• Local Celebrities as well as Local News and Television Anchors
The Sports Animal WINZ 940’s own Footy, legendary South Florida radio persona and host of the South Florida Sportsman Show, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies. Members of the media are invited to attend the event. The event kicks off at 10 am on Saturday, January 29, 2011 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens. For more information about the event or how to participate, go to www.dmfwalkaboutautism.org.
About the Dan Marino Foundation:
The Dan Marino Foundation was established by Dan and Claire Marino in 1992. The Foundation’s mission is to “open doors” toward independence for children with autism and special needs, teenagers transitioning from foster care, and young adults with disabilities. The Foundation fulfills this mission by supporting comprehensive integrated treatment programs, providing outreach services, advancing scientific research, and building independence through employment and daily living transition programs. The Foundation has raised over $28 million since its inception which has been used to fund major medical research, build the Miami Children’s Hospital Dan Marino Center, and operate life-changing programs. For more information, please visit www.danmarinofoundation.org.
About UM-NSU Center for Autism and Related Disabilities:
UM-NSU CARD (Center for Autism and Related Disabilities) is a program of the UM Department of Psychology and NSU’s Fischler School of Education and Human Services Programs in Speech, Language & Communication and is a state-funded resource and support program dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorders, dual sensory impairments (deaf-blindness) and sensory impairments with other disabling conditions. UM-NSU CARD has offices in Coral Gables, North Miami Beach and Davie, and serves over 5500 families in Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. UM-NSU CARD, with generous support from the Unicorn Children’s Foundation also developed the first of its kind Mobile Family Clinic to promote autism screenings and awareness to underserved communities. For more information, please visit www.umcard.org.
About FAU Center for Autism & Related Disabilities:
The Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) at Florida Atlantic University provides supports for individuals with autism spectrum disorders, their families, schools and community agencies. Serving Palm Beach, Martin, St Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties, FAU CARD has offices in Boca Raton and Port St Lucie and a staff of eight clinical support specialists. In addition to supports for families and schools, CARD staff provides workshops and training events, host support groups for persons with autism or family members, and helps foster community understanding of and better services for persons with autism. Thanks to the Unicorn Foundation, CARD now has a mobile screening clinic providing free developmental screenings for children throughout its service region. For more information, please visit www.coe.fau.edu/card.
About Autism Society of Miami- Dade:
The Autism Society of Miami-Dade is part of the Autism Society of America founded in 1965. It is a volunteer, parent-based organization, serving approximately 1000 families in Miami-Dade, giving families a place where they can be themselves and not feel alone. The Autism Society of Miami-Dade is committed to providing support and promoting opportunities to enhance the lives of individuals within the autism spectrum and their families and caregivers. It sponsors events and forums for sharing and caring and by helping ensure that all receive the support and services they need while respecting individual needs and preferences. It encourages and promotes cooperative relationships between families and the schools, agencies, and professionals involved in the lives of their loved ones within the autism spectrum. The Autism Society believes that all individuals within the autism spectrum can make a unique contribution to his or her family and community. For more information, please visit www.autismsocietymiami.org.
About Autism Society –Broward County:
The Autism Society of Broward County was established in 1992. It is a not-for-profit organization that is made up of parents and professionals who volunteer their time to help children and parents in Broward County. It supports a variety of family activities, monthly support groups, monthly informational meetings, and is continually raising autism awareness in our community. For more information, please visit www.asabroward.org.
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