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Current News:
June 6 , 2009
Dear Friends & Family:
As many of you know, we are the youth Co-Founders and Co-Chairmen of the Ascent Youth Alliance to Battle Autism (AYABA) Program. It would be greatly appreciated if you could please take a moment for us to tell you a few things about autism, the AYABA Program and how you may be able to help. We trust that you will agree that having a sense of community is so important!
Last year, approximately 1 out of every 150 children were diagnosed with autism, a staggering number-more than pediatric cancer, aids and diabetes combined! Although there is currently no medical detection or cure for autism, fortunately, both awareness of autism and the fight to battle autism is on the rise. It is our belief that in its own small way, the AYABA student volunteers are helping local children impacted by autism reach their full potential…by not only raising funds necessary for their education and enhancement of their socialization skills but by promoting awareness, tolerance and acceptance as well.
AYABA (a program of the Ascent Funding Organization, a tax exempt 501c3 and the parent fundraising arm of the Ascent School for Autism in Deer Park) is an ever growing group of roughly 150 student volunteers across the metropolitan area trying to make a difference for children not as fortunate as themselves. Although the Ascent School is the main financial beneficiary of the Program, the AYABA Program firmly believes that the impact of Ascent does and should stretch far beyond the walls of the school. For that reason, our annual AYABA Student Volunteer Fundraiser benefits other autism related non-profits in the region, including but not limited to (a) Autism United, (b) the Mid Island Y K.I.S.S. Kids in Special Services Program, (c) the Sid Jacobson Y Autism Spectrum Disorders After School Programs, (d) the NSASA/Nassau-Suffolk Autism Society of America Educational Programs and Surf Pals. Last year, we raised nearly $115,000 from the AYABA Student Volunteer Fundraiser, and given the economic crisis, these programs need our help more than ever! PLEASE HELP US HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR CHILDREN IN NEED! PLEASE KNOW THAT NO DONATION IS TOO SMALL OR TOO LARGE!
Please refer to the attached brochure to see how you may be able to participate in AYABA’s 2009 Awareness, Tolerance and Acceptance Memorabilia, Ticket, Golf & Clothing Student Volunteer Fundraiser. Note that whether you can donate or not, you are invited to attend the free bowling and pizza party at Syosset Lanes in October 2009, which will include over 100 free door prizes to be raffled off to those in attendance. Because space is limited, pre-registration is mandatory on a first-come, first-serve basis-so please rsvp to larryhaber@colgaterea.com if you plan on attending.
The sponsorship packages-starting at $195, all include (a) 2 tickets to the donor’s choice of either the AYABA sponsored Mets, Yanks or Islander games, (b) AYABA website recognition and (c) either a piece of hand signed memorabilia, a country club golf package or an entertainment experience. Most are indicated on the brochure, and can be purchased by either filling out the registration form or by clicking the AYABA link on the www.ayabany.org website.
If you would like more information on how you may be able to help the AYABA Program continue to build a foundation for both a better today and tomorrow, please email our Dad at larryhaber@colgaterea.com or call Larry at 917-362-9413. More information about the program, the event and the Ascent School can be found by logging on to www.ayabany.org, www.4boyzautographs.com or http://www.nycharities.org/event/C_event.asp?CharityCode=2032.
Thanks again for your help and for being part of a great group...special people helping those with special needs.
Best Regards,
Sean Haber, 10th Grade Syosset HS
Ryan Haber, 10th Grade Syosset HS
Kyle Haber, 8th Grade Harry B.Thompson Middle School
AYABA & 4BOYZ ABA Co-Chairmen and Brothers of Conor Haber, an AscentSchool for Autism Graduate
Ascent Youth Alliance to Battle Autism is a Program of the Ascent Funding Organization Inc., a tax exempt 501c3
AYABA, c/o Colgate Real Estate Advisors, 6800 Jericho Turnpike-Suite 216 East, Syosset, New York 11791
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