 | From left, Ann Marie, Anthony and Robert Morasco, in a photo taken last summer. Courtesy Photo. |
On April 10, Reaching 4 Autism Miracles, a local nonprofit, will hold its first fundraiser. Robert and Ann Marie Morasco, of Ashburn, founded the organization in the fall of 2009 to raise money for families in Northern Virginia with autistic children.
The Morascos’ only child has autism. Anthony, 8 years old, was diagnosed in 2004, when he was 3. He was the first person with autism they had more than a passing acquaintance with.
“I always knew about [autism], but I never really thought about it,” Ann Marie Morasco said. “Then it happened to us, to our son, our only son. It was just devastating.”
The Morascos knew their son needed therapy early on, and wanted to put Anthony in the Early Intervention Program.
“Early Intervention is so important, but it’s just outrageous how much money you have to put out,” Morasco said, “and insurance doesn’t cover it.”
Family members helped the Morascos find the needed funds. Now the Morascos want to give back to the community, by helping other families who can’t afford therapy for their autistic children.
The fundraising program will feature a wine tasting, silent auction, raffle, hors d’oeuvres, petit fours and a DJ.
“It’s going to be like a casual party,” Morasco said. Morasco hopes approximately 150 people will show up.
The funds raised will be used to create scholarships for families to send their children to summer camps.
“There’s a lot of summer camps out there, but they’re so expensive,” Morasco said.
Reaching 4 Autism Miracles has so far focused on families in Manassas, Reston and Ashburn. Jodi Leigh, of Leigh Agency, an ad agency, co-founded the organization.
“There are families out there who can’t get the intervention that they need,” Morasco said.
Fundraiser
When: April 10, 7-10 p.m.
Where: Welcome Center at 42395 Ryan Road in Ashburn
What: Wine tasting, silent auction, raffle, hors d’oeuvres, petit fours and a DJ
Admission: $25
More information: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), 703-216-3390
I applaud the Morasco’s and their valiant efforts to make a difference in the lives of others and families with autistic children.
Blue Ridge Speech & Hearing Center(BRSH) is also a great resource for families with special needs children. BRSH is the only nonprofit service provider of speech therapy, occupational therapy and audiological/hearing services to Loudoun residents in need. At Blue Ridge we see lots of special needs kids and kids with an autism diagnosis. Blue Ridge Speech & Hearing Center accepts most major insurances and provides financial aid to eligible families without insurance or that are unable to afford services.
To learn more, visit www.speechhearing.org
I hope the Reaching 4 Autism Miracles fundraiser does well and another thank you to the Morasco’s for shining a light on autism and the impact it has on a family.
Kristi Stilen-Lare
Director
Blue Ridge Speech & Hearing Center
Early intervention is so important in the development of children and should not go unnoticed! This article proves that the work of companies like Reaching 4 Autism Miracles and Bilinguals Inc., http://www.bilingualsinc.com, is needed more than ever.
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