FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: John Cavanaugh
Autism Society of NC – Mecklenburg County Chapter
E-MAIL: aafcoordinator@asncmeck.org


Autism Society Adds Harris Teeter as Autism Aware Fare Sponsor

CHARLOTTE, NC – The Autism Society of North Carolina's Mecklenburg County Chapter (ASNC-MCC) has added Charlotte-based grocery store chain Harris Teeter as a sponsor of the fundraising event Autism Aware Fare.

The event, scheduled to take place on April 20, 2010, is supported by local sponsors as well as restaurants who donate a portion of the proceeds from that day to the local Autism Society chapter.

"We are very pleased to have a company as recognizable as Harris Teeter supporting Autism Aware Fare for the first time this year," said Nancy Nestor, ASNC-MCC President. "Harris Teeter is well known for supporting great community causes, so we are honored by their participation."

"Harris Teeter is a proud sponsor of the 2010 Autism Aware Fare," said Catherine Reuhl, communication specialist for Harris Teeter. "Autism affects an estimated 1.5 million Americans, and by supporting this event, we hope to help raise both awareness and funds for additional research on this disorder."

Other sponsors of the event include: The Charlotte Rugby Club, Carolinas Medical Center, Duke Energy, AREVA, Southeast Psych, A Special Needs Plan - Ryan F. Platt, Autism Services of Mecklenburg County, Inc., Darnell Company, Inc., Kincaid and Associates, LLC Attorneys at Law, Dr. Lawrence A. Sladek, D.D.S., P.A. and Dr. Myra Preston. The media sponsor is 107.9 The Link. Partners include Charlotte TEACCH Center and IKON.

The event, which was first held in 2002, is the main fundraiser for ASNC-MCC and funds local chapter activities including over $24,000 in grants to support local teachers who serve students with autism. It is also a means of communicating with and educating the community about autism. In addition to donating proceeds, participating restaurants will display posters and table toppers with information about autism.

Autism, or ASD, is a neurological disorder for which there is no known cause or cure. It now affects 1 out of 110 children and impacts language and social development as well as the ability to adapt to change. Frequently these difficulties require years of speech therapy or prevent any language development at all. The Autism Society of North Carolina - Mecklenburg County chapter is a non-profit local affiliate of the Autism Society of North Carolina. For information on Autism Aware Fare, contact John Cavanaugh at aafcoordinator@asncmeck.org or visit www.autismawarefare.org.

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