The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Students rewarded for autism funds
Avon Heritage South Elementary school raises $3,700 for Milestones Autism Resources
Students at Avon Heritage South Elementary School, 35600 Bentley Drive, were rewarded for the money they raised to help those with autism in April with an outdoor assembly.
The event included tossing pies into the faces of teachers, a dunk tank and sumo wrestling suits.
“The assembly is a great way to close out Autism Awareness
Month,” said Jessica Stringer, counselor at Avon Heritage and coordinator for the Autism Awareness collection at the school. “The donations and collections have been going on since the beginning of the month, and everyone involved did a great job.”
Stringer said the goal of the month was not just to raise
money, but awareness as well.
“We had teachers present videos to the kids and provide them with as much information as possible,” she said. “The kids really got behind the month and were very enthusiastic about donating.”
Stringer said this was the second year the school has raised money for autism.
“It is really a great cause and local businesses get behind it as well,” she said. “We had calendars that were sold and Tshirts that were made by Big Frog Custom T-shirts & More in Avon.”
Stringer said Avon Heritage Elementary raised $3,700 and the Avon Local School District raised $10, 686.
“The money is going to Milestones Autism Resources,” she said. “We have been working with them since last year. They are local and a nonprofit, so we are glad to help them out in this way.”
Stringer said more was added to the assembly as more money was raised.
“The kids had goals to meet if they wanted to see pies in faces, and ultimately someone getting dunked in the dunk tank,” she said. “The kids exceeded expectations and we eventually had to cut it off. But it was still a sweet assembly.
“We combined the donations with Spirit Week and the kids brought in so many pennies, nickels, quarters, dimes and dollars. The students understand the importance of a cause like this and that is truly great to see.”