Event to take place at Sun Life Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins,
on Saturday, January 26, 2013
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA – The Dan Marino Foundation has once again teamed up with local South Florida autism agencies to celebrate the Dan Marino Foundation WalkAbout Autism, brought to you by Walgreens. This event will benefit the Autism Societies of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, UM-NSU CARD (Center for Autism & Related Disabilities) and The Dan Marino Foundation. This exciting and unique event will take place on Saturday, January 26th, 2013 from 9 am to 1 pm at Sun Life Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins.
Driven by individuals with autism, their families and friends, this historic fundraising effort generates awareness and crucial funds for autism services. All proceeds raised through this event stay in our local community and participating South Florida schools will receive 25% of the money raised by their teams to support special needs programming in their school.
Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disorder, according to the Center for Disease Control, 1 in 88 children in the United States have autism. We proudly welcome our 2013 signature DMF WalkAbout Autism sponsors the Miami Dolphins, Sun Life Stadium, Centerplate, Walgreens, Publix Super Markets, Badia Spices, Samsung, HH Gregg, Greenspoon Marder, Blue Bell Ice Cream, Morgan Stanley, NOVA Southeastern University, University of Miami, Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza, Panera Bread and Pepsi Co.
“As parents of children with autism, my wife Rachel and I are thrilled to be a part of the Dan Marino Foundation WalkAbout Autism,” noted Jeff Ireland, General Manager of the Miami Dolphins. “We know first hand the importance of support services for children and adults with autism and this event will raise money specifically for those services right here in South Florida. Having the event at Sun Life Stadium where Dan played his Hall of Fame career for the Miami Dolphins seems like the perfect choice.”
VIP Participants include:
- · Claire & Dan Marino, Legendary Hall of Fame & Miami Dolphins Quarterback
- · Rachel & Jeff Ireland, Miami Dolphins General Manager
- · Current & Alumni Miami Dolphins Players
- · State, and Local Elected Officials
- · Local Celebrities as well as Local News and Television Anchors
For more information or to create a team, please visit www.dmfwalkaboutautism.org.
About the Dan Marino Foundation:
Dan and Claire Marino established the Dan Marino Foundation in 1992. The Foundation’s mission is to “open doors” toward independence for children and young adults with autism and special needs by creating awareness and opportunities. The Foundation fulfills this mission by supporting comprehensive integrated treatment programs, providing outreach services, advancing scientific research, and building independence through employment and daily living transition programs. The Foundation has raised over $37 million since its inception, which has been used to fund quality-of-life research, build the Miami Children’s Hospital Dan Marino Center, and opening in 2014, Marino College. For more information, please visitwww.danmarinofoundation.org.
ABOUT UM-NSU CARD (Center for Autism & Related Disabilities):
UM-NSU CARD (Center for Autism and Related Disabilities) is a program of the University of Miami’s Department of Psychology and Nova Southeastern University’s Abraham S. Fischler School of Education and Human Services Programs in Speech, Language & Communication. UM-NSU CARD is one of 7 state-funded resource and support programs dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorders, dual sensory impairments (deaf-blindness) and sensory impairments with other disabling conditions. UM-NSU CARD has offices in Coral Gables, Davie, and North Miami Beach, and serves over 6500 families in Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe Counties. UM-NSU CARD, along with its collaborating statewide CARD Centers, represents Florida’s First Choice for Autism Support. For more information, please visitwww.umcard.org.
ABOUT AUTISM SOCIETY OF BROWARD COUNTY:
The Autism Society of Broward County was established in 1992. It is a not-for-profit organization that is made up of parents and professionals who volunteer their time to help children and parents in Broward County. It supports a variety of family activities, monthly support groups, monthly informational meetings, and is continually raising autism awareness in the community. For more information, email us at info@asabroward.org, find us on Facebook at Autism Society of Broward or call 954-577-4141. Also, visit our website www.asabroward.org
ABOUT AUTISM SOCIETY OF FLORIDA–MIAMI:
The Autism Society of Florida’s Miami Division is part of the Autism Society of America founded in 1965. It is a volunteer, parent-based organization, serving approximately 1000 families in Miami-Dade, giving families a place where they can be themselves and not feel alone. The organization is committed to providing support and promoting opportunities to enhance the lives of individuals within the autism spectrum and their families and caregivers. It sponsors events and forums for sharing and caring and by helping ensure that all receive the support and services they need while respecting individual needs and preferences. It encourages and promotes cooperative relationships between families and the schools, agencies, and professionals involved in the lives of their loved ones within the autism spectrum. The Autism Society believes that all individuals within the autism spectrum can make a unique contribution to his or her family and community. For more information, please visit www.autismfl.com
