Gary Allan and others donate to "Autism in Action" auction!

[SantaMom]

: : : 2008-04-23 : : :

GARY DONATES ITEMS TO "AUTISM IN ACTION"

http://www.garyallan.com/news.php?title=gary_donates_items_to_autism_in_action&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 

Gary Allan and several other stars have participated in Autism By Action Auction. “Autism in Action” is a program promoting autism awareness. The goal of “Autism in Action” is to show our community that even though individuals diagnosed with autism may have difficulty interacting with spoken and written communication, through art they are free to express the world as they see it. Through art, they can do more. Check out a signed photo, signed CD, and decorated puzzle piece from Gary. BID NOW!

[More:]

Started by the Student Government Association (SGA) of Texas State Technical College Waco, its focus is on helping autistic children in Region 12’s educational service area create original artwork which will be auctioned to raise money for local and national autism awareness organizations.

 

 

 

“Autism in Action” eBay Auctions Reach $2,600

http://www.waco.tstc.edu/news/showaut_delta.php?id=1096 

(WACO)— When TSTC Waco student Charity Wilson dreamed up “Autism in Action,” she dreamed big.

As president of the TSTC Waco Student Government Association (SGA), she planned a program promoting autism awareness that focused on helping individuals diagnosed with autism in Region 12's educational service area create original artwork. The artwork would be auctioned to raise money for local and national autism awareness organizations.

In addition to the paintings, cardboard puzzle pieces cut and donated by Packaging Corporation of America were sent out to a list of almost 200 celebrities and local artists with a letter asking for creative minds to fill them with color.

The SGA got back signed and decorated puzzle pieces from some big names including billionaire Donald Trump, CSI Miami’s Emily Procter, country music artist Gary Allan and skateboarder Tony Hawk. Central Texas artists Henry Wallace Wright and Flip Kimmel also contributed their talents.

After many long days carting paint and canvases across counties and nights completing homework and squeezing in a few hours with her three children and husband, Wilson is starting to see the results of this first-time program.

 “I am overwhelmed by the response we have gotten with the auction,” she said. “Country singer Gary Allan's piece alone went for $1,225, and we have a combined total that is over $2,600. That is way more than we ever hoped for. People all over the U.S., from Washington to Maryland to New Mexico have showed their support by bidding on the artwork and winning.”

As the program draws to an end, Wilson is already looking forward to the 2009 “Autism in Action.”

“This is an exceptional success and we look forward to doing it next year,” she said.

“Autism in Action” by the numbers:
3 art days at TSTC, Navarro College and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
68 paintings created by individuals diagnosed with autism
8 celebrity puzzle pieces returned
557 unique eBay bids on artwork
$2,600 raised for autism awareness and support organizations

For more information, contact SGA President Charity Wilson by phone at [phone] or by e-mail at [e-mail]. Also, visit www.waco.tstc.edu/autism.