Autism Academy of South Carolina to hold Autism Awareness Month events in April 2016

Leadership Columbia Class of 2016 to assist with month-long campaign

COLUMBIA, SC – The Autism Academy of South Carolina (AASC) will hold several events – from dyeing Columbia’s iconic Five Points Fountain blue to hosting a “Blue Bash & Dash” family fun run to the new Spirit Communications Park – during their annual Autism Awareness Month campaign throughout April 2016, with the help of the Columbia Chamber’s Leadership Columbia Class of 2016.

AASC’s Autism Awareness Month kicks off on Saturday, April 2 on annually-observed World Autism Awareness Day. AASC, along with more than 60 local businesses across the Midlands, will observe Autism Speaks’ universal event “Light It Up Blue,” showing support for people and families affected by autism by holding special events, offering exclusive discounts, hosting autism awareness information and illuminating the exterior or interior of their business blue, with kits provided by the Leadership Columbia Class of 2016.

In January, the Leadership Columbia Class of 2016 selected AASC as the subject of their class project after recognizing the value the school offers and realizing the needs of the local nonprofit. The Class has been working with AASC to renovate the school, located at 1505 Blanding St.; organize and market AASC’s Autism Awareness Month events; and plan an open house and reception for families, staff and sponsors on April 29.

AASC and Leadership Columbia invite the Midlands community to participate in Autism Awareness Month. Each event is listed below, and more information can be found on http://autismacademyofsc.org.

Autism Academy of South Carolina | Autism Awareness Month, April 2016

Light Up the Five Points Fountain Blue, April 2
Saturday, April 2, 2016, 11:00 a.m.| Free
Five Points fountain at Saluda and Greene Streets, Columbia, S.C.
Join the Autism Academy of South Carolina, Autism Speaks and Leadership Columbia Class of 2016 as they dye Five Points’ iconic fountain at Greene and Saluda Streets blue to honor Autism Speaks’ international “Light It Up Blue” day, in observance of World Autism Awareness Day, Saturday, April 2. Don blue apparel and bring the whole family to Five Points to see the fountain dyed blue and support autism awareness. Several businesses across Columbia will participate by offering retail and dining deals and specials on April 2; lighting their businesses with blue lights and wearing blue in support (see full list below).

The Blue Bash & Dash, April 9
Saturday, April 9, 2016; Bash: 5-7 p.m.; Dash: 7-9 p.m. | Bash: free; Dash: $10-12.50
Autism Academy of South Carolina, 1505 Blanding St., Columbia, S.C., 29201
Join the Autism Academy of South Carolina for a free, family-friendly carnival “bash” with inflatables, games, food trucks, face painting & more at the Autism Academy on Blanding St. from 5-7 p.m., then “dash” in a walk/run/roll race – complete with blue AASC capes – to Spirit Communications Park (the brand new Columbia Fireflies baseball stadium on Bull St.) and back to the Academy, from 7-9 p.m. Saturday, April 9. Register for the “dash” ($12.50 for adults; $10 for kids; $40 for group of 4) online at http://autismacademyofsc.org.

Autism Academy of South Carolina Day at the Fireflies Game, April 18
Monday, April 18, 2016, 7:00 p.m. | Columbia Fireflies game ticket prices vary: ColumbiaFireflies.com
Spirit Communications Park, Bull St., Columbia, S.C.
Play ball – and learn about Autism Spectrum Disorder! Join the Autism Academy of South Carolina for their community night at the Monday, April 18 Fireflies baseball game at the brand new Spirit Communications Park, home of the Columbia Fireflies. Students from the Autism Academy will present special entertainment during half time. The Autism Academy will have a station where families and community members can enjoy free games, face painting and snacks; and gather information and resources about autism. Purchase game tickets at http://autismacademyofsc.org.

Walk to the State House for Autism Awareness, April 18-22
One day during week of April 18-22, 2016; 10:00 a.m. (Stay tuned on social media) | Free
Autism Academy of South Carolina, 1505 Blanding St., Columbia, S.C., 29201
Help build awareness for autism by walking to the South Carolina State House to reach legislative attention and talk to lawmakers with the Autism Academy of South Carolina, Autism Speaks and Leadership Columbia. Meet at the Autism Academy, 1505 Blanding St., at 10 a.m., where the walk will start and finish, and end up at the State House at 11 a.m. Bring signs, balloons, bikes and wagons; and wear blue to show your support! More information on current legislation and “Ryan’s Law” at http://autismacademyofsc.org.

Businesses supporting Autism Awareness Month with the Autism Academy of South Carolina

More than 60 local businesses across the Midlands will offer special events, deals and discounts on World Autism Day, April 2; as well as lighting up their businesses blue and showing support for Autism Awareness Month throughout April 2016:

• 2G’s Clothing – will “Light It Up Blue”
• Adams and Reese, LLP – will “Light It Up Blue”
• Andy’s Deli – employees will wear blue April 1; provide social media support; donation to Autism Academy of South Carolina; will “Light It Up Blue” in-restaurant
• Apple One – employees will wear blue April 1
• Balfour of SC – will “Light It Up Blue”
• Barton Law Firm – employees will wear blue April 1
• BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina – preparing blueberry French toast for each cafeteria with proceeds going to Autism Academy of South Carolina
• Bevello – will offer special discount on blue candles; employees will wear blue; will “Light It Up Blue” in-store
• Bluetile Skateboards – will “Light It Up Blue” in-store
• Carpenter’s Auto Repair – will “Light It Up Blue” on store exterior
• Cellar on Greene – donation to Autism Academy of South Carolina
• Chernoff Newman – employees will wear blue; will “Light It Up Blue” in-office
• Columbia Fireflies – will display the Autism Academy of South Carolina logo on video board and ribbon boards; employees will wear blue; provide social media support
• Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center and Displays Unlimited – partnering to “Light It Up Blue” at South Carolina’s only downtown convention center
• Consolidated Mailing Services – will “Light It Up Blue”
• Creech and Creed Real Estate Services – employees wear blue April 1; decorate office blue; provide social media support
• Delaney’s Music Pub – will “Light It Up Blue”
• Drip Columbia – will “Light It Up Blue”
• East Coast Web Printers – will “Light It Up Blue”
• Eddie’s Calzones – employees will wear blue April 2
• First Community Bank – will “Light It Up Blue” in downtown branch
• Five Points Association – “Lighting Up the Five Points Fountain Blue” April 2, 11:00 a.m.
• Five Points Tobacco – offering 10% off premium cigars and Hooka products April 2 if guests wear blue and mention autism awareness; will “Light It Up Blue” in-store
• Flock and Rally – employees will wear blue April 1; will “Light It Up Blue” in-office
• Gentleman’s Closet – will “Light It Up Blue”
• Good for the Sole – store will “Light It Up Blue”
• Grilled Teriyaki – restaurant will “Light It Up Blue;” employees wear blue April 2 and decorate restaurant; provide social media support
• Harper’s Restaurant – offering “Blue Light Special Menu” with $1.00 of each brunch or dinner item purchased going to the Autism Academy of South Carolina; offering 10% off of entire bill April 2 if guests wear blue and mention autism awareness
• HiWire Trampoline Park – providing social media support
• iTech Connections – will “Light It Up Blue”
• LRADAC – will “Light It Up Blue” April 8; donation to Autism Academy of South Carolina
• Liberty Tax Service – donating $10 to the Autism Academy of South Carolina for each client who mentions autism awareness while completing their tax return April 1-18
• Mast General Store – will host Autism Academy of South Carolina window display in April
• McCarthy Law Firm, LLC – employees will wear blue April 1
• McGough Law Firm, P.A. – employees will wear blue April 1; will “Light It Up Blue” in-office
• Men’s Warehouse – will “Light It Up Blue”
• Michael’s Café and Catering/Agape Pharmacy – will “Light It Up Blue” on restaurant-front
• Midlands Pediatric Dentistry – will “Light It Up Blue”
• Milliken Forestry Company, Inc. – will “Light It Up Blue”
• Motor Supply Co. Bistro – will “Light It Up Blue” in-restaurant
• Mr. Friendly’s New Southern Cafe – donation to Autism Academy of South Carolina
• Natural Vibrations – in-kind donation to Autism Academy of South Carolina
• Ouzts, Ouzts & Company, P.C. – employees will wear blue April 1
• Papa Jazz Record Shoppe – store will “Light It Up Blue”
• Pawley’s Front Porch – employees will wear blue April 2
• Pecknel Music – will “Light It Up Blue”
• Pendleton Street Advisors – will “Light It Up Blue” in-office
• Petal Boutique – will “Light It Up Blue”
• Pita Pit – offering $1.00 off any pita all day April 2 if guests wear blue and mention autism awareness; employees will wear blue on April 2; provide social media support
• Plex Indoor Sports – providing social media support
• Publico Kitchen & Tap – offering 20% off any food item between 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. April 2 if guests wear blue and mention autism awareness; employees will wear blue April 2; decorate restaurant
• Quackenbush Architects + Planners – employees will wear blue April 1; provide social media support; will “Light It Up Blue” in display window
• Revente – will “Light It Up Blue”
• Sandhills Pediatrics Northeast Office – will “Light It Up Blue”
• South Caroline BLUESM Retail Center – will “Light It Up Blue”
• Scoopy Doo Gelato Shop – will “Light It Up Blue”
• Sid & Nancy – will “Light It Up Blue”
• South Carolina Education Lottery – employees will wear blue
• Southern Belly BBQ – will “Light It Up Blue”
• Special Olympics South Carolina – employees will wear blue April 1; will “Light It Up Blue” via exterior porch light
• STEEL Garden – store will “Light It Up Blue”
• Sun Solutions – Communication Print & Media Delivered – will “Light It Up Blue”
• The Nickelodeon Theatre – will “Light It Up Blue” on columns
• Trinity Baptist Church – will “Light It Up Blue” outdoors; provide social media support
• Tripp’s Fine Cleaners – will “Light It Up Blue”
• United Way of the Midlands – will “Light It Up Blue”
• Velocity Air Sports Charleston – providing social media support
• Vestique – mannequins will wear blue

About the Autism Academy of South Carolina
The Autism Academy of South Carolina is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering individualized Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy to children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as parent training, school consultation, social skills groups and summer camps. AASC was founded in 2010 by local concerned parents Dan and Lorri Unumb, fellow Autism Spectrum Disorder-affected families and professionals as a response to the rapidly growing need for Autism Spectrum Disorder resources and support in South Carolina. www.autismacademyofsc.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Autism-Academy-of-South-Carolina-126106320762338
Twitter: @AutismAcademySC
Instagram: @AutismAcademySC

About Leadership Columbia
Leadership Columbia is a Columbia Chamber program that recognizes emerging and existing community leaders who hold potential to move Columbia, S.C. forward, offering them a unique opportunity to grow professionally and personally among likeminded individuals. Over a period of 10 months, more than 50 Class of 2016 participants take part in one class retreat, 10 leadership sessions, and a hands-on class project. The program, founded in 1973, has graduated more than 1,600 professional alumni across the country. 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LeadershipColaSC
Twitter: @Leadership_Cola