University of Connecticut April 3, 2010Penn State University
April 10, 2010University of Maryland
April 17, 2010University of Massachusetts - Amherst
May 1, 2010University of Michigan
TBD
Welcome to Autism SpeaksU Where next? Contact us to find out how U can get involved. Or join the Autism SpeaksU Social Network Facebook | Twitter
Get ready to Light It Up Blue For the last couple of months we have been planning some terrific activities to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day on April 2! Our campaign this year is themed "Light It Up Blue" and it's a great opportunity for you to join in the fun. We've been busy lighting up buildings across the world, here is just a taste of what some of our retail partners are doing to help raise awareness:
So what is it that we want you to do? We want you to get creative by doing anything from handing out flyers, hanging blue lights, or watching the classic flick “Blue Crush” over and over again. Visit www.lightitupblue.org for more ideas, to join the community and to share photos and the plans for your We can’t wait to see what you all come up with! *Here's a little incentive – if you commit to join an activity during the April festivities, we will provide you with a commemorative “Light It Up Blue” t-shirt. Just register your event at www.lightitupblue.org and send Ali an email with the details, your size shirt and your mailing address. E-mail her at: alison.dyer@autismspeaks.org.
Recent News:
University of Michigan’s Autism SpeaksU Chapter Active in the Local Community Ann Arbor, MI – Since the start of the fall semester, University of Michigan’s Autism SpeaksU chapter has continuously volunteered for KIDS NIGHT IN at the Judson Center, a non-profit human service agency working with children affected by autism. Autism SpeaksU volunteers spend time playing with local children affected by autism. University of Michigan’s Autism SpeaksU student organizing committee has also held a variety of fundraising events last semester such as bar nights at Studio 4, bake sales, and bucketing on campus. This upcoming semester, Autism SpeaksU will continue to hold fundraising events such as a Valentine's Day themed bake sale, Guess The Number of Puzzle Pieces In The Jar event, bar nights, and events at restaurants. The student organizing committee at University of Michigan hopes to hold a competition between University of Michigan and Ohio State University (perennial Big Ten rivals), in order to increase awareness of Autism SpeaksU on campus and further fundraise to meet their goals. In April, the organization plans to host Autism Awareness Restaurant Week, with various local restaurants donating some of their proceeds to Autism SpeaksU on a given night. The student organizing committee hopes to hold a Walk-A-Thon next year, as well as continue to expand Autism SpeaksU involvement at University of Michigan. 
Auction Winners Dine with Penn State Football Assistant Coach Larry Johnson Sr STATE COLLEGE, PA – Penn State Football’s Defensive Line Coach, Larry Johnson Sr. dined with Autism SpeaksU auction winners at Carnegie House in State College, PA on June 12th. The opportunity to eat dinner with Coach Johnson was featured as part of an auction associated with the annual “We Are…Curing Autism Now 5K Race/3K Walk” at Penn State. Johnson has coached Penn State’s defensive line since 2000 and has also coached defensive ends and special teams during his tenure at Penn State. In addition to the opportunity to dine with Coach Johnson, auction items included the opportunity to eat dinner with Penn State’s Defensive Coordinator, Tom Bradley and Recruiting Coordinator, Mike McQueary.
Bloomington, IN – Students at Indiana University and Autism Speaks today announced the launch of “Hoosiers For Autism SpeaksU.” Indiana University students join students at Penn State University, University of Maryland, and University of Massachusetts as part of the nationwide Autism SpeaksU program. “Hoosiers For Autism SpeaksU” is now a university-sanctioned student organization. Student leadership is currently soliciting members and participated in the Student Activities Fair on campus in hopes of engaging members. The organization is focused on raising awareness on campus about autism, developing innovative fundraising events, and coordinating advocacy efforts for students about autism and related issues. “Hoosiers For Autism SpeaksU” has scheduled its first official meeting on campus for September 14, 2009. 4th Annual “We Are…Curing Autism Now” Event at Penn State Raises More Than $100,000 STATE COLLEGE, PA - On April 4, 2009 Beta Sigma Beta Fraternity, Pi Beta Phi Sorority, and Sigma Delta Tau Sorority hosted the 4th annual “We Are…Curing Autism Now 5K Race/3K Walk” Penn State. This year’s event welcomed over 1200 participants, and raised over $100,000 for Autism Speaks. Since 2006, the event has brought in more than $550,000. In the weeks preceding the event, the organizing committee captured the community’s attention about this worthy cause. Through a media partnership with Magnum Broadcasting, hundreds of radio commercials aired advertisements for the event to the local community. Steve Jones, the radio voice of Penn State athletics and Drew Shannon of 105.9JoeFM served as the Masters of Ceremony for the event. Also in attendance as Celebrity Grand Marshal was Steve Smear, captain of the 1968 Penn State football team. Smear has an autistic son and continues to support the Autism SpeaksU efforts at Penn State.
"Tau Kappa Epsilon Autism SpeaksU 5K Race/3K Walk” Event at UConn a Success STORRS, CT – On April 4, 2009 Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity led its 4th annual 5K Race/3K Walk to benefit Autism Speaks. The event welcomed members of the campus and the surrounding community and raised more than $3,000.
“Fear the Turtle, Find a Cure” Event Brings Out the Stars in Support of Autism SpeaksU at University of Maryland COLLEGE PARK, MD – Bright and early on the morning of April 18th, 2009 over 400 University of Maryland students and members of the community took to the field outside the Comcast Center arena to pound the pavement in the 1st annual “Fear the Turtle, Find a Cure Autism SpeaksU 5K Race/3K Walk” benefiting Autism Speaks. Maryland's men’s basketball coach Gary Williams served as Grand Marshal of this inaugural event, which was emceed by the Voice of the Terrapins, Johnny Holliday. The runners and walkers raised over $23,000 for Autism Speaks.   
“U Were, U Are, U Speak Autism SpeaksU” UMass Event Raises More Than $23,000 AMHERST, MA – On May 3, 2009 over 250 University of Massachusetts students and members of the community took to a lakeside field on campus to walk and race as part of the 1st annual “U Were, U Are, U Speak Autism SpeaksU 5K Race/3K Walk” benefiting Autism Speaks. The event was coordinated by Sigma Delta Tau Sorority and Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity. The runners and walkers raised over $23,000 for Autism Speaks making the event the largest student-run philanthropic event on campus. Lazer 99.3FM provided entertainment as participants gathered prior to the event and the University of Massachusetts cheerleaders led the walk.   
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