Welcome to COSAC’s
2006 Autism Awareness Month Headquarters!
COSAC’S AUTISM AWARENESS AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
April has been designated National Autism Awareness Month and provides the perfect opportunity for individuals and organizations across the nation to educate their communities about autism. While COSAC typically coordinates such activities as media blitzes, mailings and awareness events, the most successful initiative by far has been the Autism Awareness Ambassador Program.
Each year, hundreds of individuals, families and organizations join with COSAC to increase autism awareness in their communities! Activities planned include setting up library displays, organizing fund raisers, contacting the media, requesting Autism Awareness Month proclamations from local legislators, making presentations, and more!
UPDATED AMBASSADOR COUNT: 393 Ambassadors and 138 Junior Ambassdors!
AMBASSADOR NEWS AND EVENTS
Check back often to learn more about what our Ambassadors planned for April. Events and activities will be posted here.
Thank you to our 2006 Ambassadors. COSAC will begin recruiting for our 2007 program after the first of the new year. Check back for details!
BECOME A “JUNIOR AMBASSADOR”
Do you have a school-aged child interested in being a “Junior Ambassador?” Through our Junior Ambassador Program, we are giving children the opportunity to educate and enlighten one another! Children often have a difficult time explaining to their peers why their brother or sister is “different.” Being a Junior Ambassador will assist children in speaking to their communities about the complexities of autism. To register your child as a 2006 Junior Ambassador, download, complete and return the Ambassador Sign-Up Form and
complete the “Junior Ambassador” section. Don’t forget to have a parent or guardian sign the form!
Need some ideas for activities? Download and print our Autism Awareness Ribbon to color at home!
SIBLING ESSAY CONTEST
Congratulations to the winners of our Sibling Essay Contest:
4th to 6th Grade: Aleta Murphy, Edison, NJ
7th to 9th Grade: Hunter Nisonoff, Emerson, NJ
10th to 12th Grade: Jill Crenshaw, Bridgewater, NJ
Aleta, Hunter and Jill will read their essays to COSAC’s Gold Member Luncheon audience at our “Issues in Autism” conference.
All participants will be featured in our Sibling Essay Booklet “Autism: Celebrating the Difference, available for download in mid-May. Congratulations and thank you to all participants for their heartfelt, honest creations. They are all winners, as are their brothers, sisters and families!
BECOME AN “ONLINE AMBASSADOR”
Connect with Family, Friends and Co-workers as an “Online Ambassador.” By signing up on our SPECIAL WEBSITE designed for Autism Awareness Month, you can create your own fundraising webpage to easily connect with friends and family. From this site, you can also connect with other ambassadors and post special messages regarding your Autism Awareness Month Activities. Check it out!
NEW EXPANDED CATALOG: AWARENESS ITEMS FOR SALE
Celebrate Autism Awareness Month by purchasing items from our NEW COSAC Autism Awareness Store. Wristbands, Keychains, Magnets and T-shirts for sale now. To order by mail, download an order form here.
COSAC EVENTS
Saturday, April 1
Kiwanis Foundation Annual Fundraiser
Martel’s on the Boardwalk at Point Pleasant, NJ
THANK YOU to the New Jersey Kiwanis Foundation for thier $5,000 Contribution to Autism New Jersey Foundation!
Thursday, April 6
Salt Creek Grille Wine and Martini Tasting Fundraiser
THANK YOU Steve Bidgood and Salt Creek Grille for their efforts. The event raised more than $40,000!
From left to right, Steve Bidgood of Salt Creek Grille, Paul Potito of COSAC, Carol Stillwell, and NJ 101.5’s Big Joe Henry.
Sunday, April 9
Autism Awareness Day at Shea Stadium
1:10pm Mets. vs. Marlins.
Posing with the Mets mascot are COSAC member, John Risley (left), with son Tyler (center) and WPIX anchor Jim Watkins (right).
Saturday, April 29
COSAC Build a Bear(R) Parties at four convenient locations: Quakerbridge, Menlo Park, Freehold and Paramus Park. First 50 kids to sign up receive $5 off coupon. Stores opening early at 9:00am, ideal for families of children with autism and their siblings. Click here to register! For more information, contact Julie Paull at 609-883-8100 x18. Can’t make the party? Download our fund raising flyer and present it at any of the above locations on April 29th and COSAC will receive 15% of your purchase!
PHOTOS COMING SOON!
Saturday, April 29
The New Jersey Coalition for Autism Awareness Cocktail Reception and Silent Auction
7:00pm, Elizabethtown Gas Company Atrium, Liberty Hall Center, 1085 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ
Tickets $100 per person. For additional information, contact (908) 668-1448.
Sunday, April 30
Autism Awareness Day with the Trenton Thunder
Thank you to the Trenton Thunder for a great day at the ballpark!
Don’t forget to check back to our website often during April to learn more about activities being planned by our Ambassadors!