NY Bird Dog Series donates $10,000 to The Autism Center

From left:  Deborah Wilbur, Ontario ARC Board Member; 
Julie Glynn, Autism Advisory Board Member;and 
Noreen Quinn, Ontario ARC's senior
associate executive director

Thinking about summer camp can bring back some of fond memories.  There's nothing quite like it.  The joy of being out of school and in an outdoor environment with an endless possibility of fun -- well it could bring a smile to anyone's face.  That's why The Autism Center at Ontario ARC partnered with 4-H Camp Bristol Hills.  So that children with autism and other developmental disabilities could have that same experience. 

To make this a reality, the New York Bird Dog Series recently donated $10,000 to The Autism Center to help families send their child to camp.  The Center partnered with the camp last year at the request of parents and families.  Held during weekdays in July, the camp gives children with autism and other developmental disabilities the opportunity to connect with their peers while building upon their communication and social skills.

The New York Bird Dog Series is an organization that promotes timed, tournament-style hunting with dogs.  The organization’s president and founder is Canandaigua resident Tom Glynn.

Upcoming autism-related presentations

To help parents, families, teachers and our friends in the community better understand autism spectrum disorders and related diagnoses, The Autism Center is offering two upcoming presentations:

College Success & Autism Spectrum Disorders
Thomas Hamed, college graduate diagnosed with Asperger syndrome
Maggi Sullivan, Ontario ARC’s autism coordinator
Saturday, February 25
9 – 11 am
Geared towards families and education professionals, this special presentation will cover what young adults with autism-related diagnoses can expect in a collegiate environment. This round table discussion will include tips and guidance about available resources.


Tools & Tips For Your Child’s New Autism Diagnosis
Cindy Mattoon, Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES’ coordinator of special education support services
Saturday, March 3
9:30 – 11:30 am
This workshop will help families dealing with their child’s recent autism diagnosis. Parents will get a broad overview of available supports and tips on how to advocate for their child. In addition, the program will feature a panel of parents, relatives, individuals with autism and educators.

For more information about these presentations or to register, please contact The Autism Center at (585) 919-2188 or theautismcenter@ontarioarc.org.  Respite is available upon request.

Annual gift wrap booth raises $30,000

Ontario ARC raised more than $30,000 at its annual Holiday Gift Wrapping Booths located at center court and Macy’s in Eastview Mall – a record breaking amount in the booth’s history.

                                                                 

“The booth’s success is strongly rooted in the energy of our volunteers, the commitment of our sponsors and the tremendous support we receive from the community,” says Donna Auria, Ontario ARC’s director of community relations.  “Thanks to their encouragement as well as the support we received from Eastview Mall and Macy’s, this year was record breaking.”

All of the proceeds go towards the agency’s newest program, Pet Connections, an innovative, multi-faceted program connecting animals and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Ontario County.  Some of the program’s highlights include people receiving animal assisted therapy – also known as “pet therapy” – and learning how to administer this creative form of therapy.