Just before the start of April — which is Autism Awareness Month — local groups are joining to raise the profile and support children and families touched by the disorder.
The Autism Society, the nation’s leading grassroots autism organization, has marked April as Autism Awareness Month since the 1970s. Nationally recognized, the program seeks to educate the public about autism and highlight issues within the autism community.
To promote the cause, Beyond Bricks and School Crossing are holding a “Spring LEGO Building FUNdraiser” contest.
The competition launched Thursday at Beyond Bricks, the Lego play store that opened in October in New Town.
To enter, plastic architects must build and register a spring-themed Lego creation at Beyond Bricks. Entries will be displayed and judged starting March 31 at School Crossing, an educational toy and teaching supply store in Williamsburg.
Submissions will be divided by age category, grouped by ages 3 to 5, and grades kindergarten through second, third to fifth, and sixth through eighth.
The general public can vote for their favorite pieces, and the projects with the most votes on April 19 will be declared the winners. Each of the four category winners will receive a five-visit Day Play Pass from Beyond Bricks and a $25.00 gift certificate from School Crossing.
There is a $5 fee to enter the contest, and a minimum of $1 per vote during the judging period.
All proceeds from the contest benefit One Child Center for Autism, an in-progress center with the goal of supporting children and families affected by autism in the area.
One Child Center for Autism was started last year by two women living in Williamsburg, each with 4-year-old autistic sons. While they work to find resources and a permanent space, Julie Cullifer and Jennifer Jenkins started free Lego play group classes for children with autism at Beyond Bricks.
Cullifer and Jenkins hope to eventually create a one-stop location for autistic children and their families to attend therapy and counseling sessions, regardless of ability to pay.
For more information on the contest, contact Beyond Bricks at 345-0266 or School Crossing at 220-8772.
