2006 crop day report!

Last year we raised $1937, these are some of the things the Early Intervention Centre was able to buy and a letter from Tasha Alach, the Clinical Manager.

Tasha is so full of enthusiasm and love for these kids, she is the one that amazes me, I am hoping to raise $4000 this year, it isn't money for research it is money that will be used to help the children TODAY!

I can't stress to you enough how important it is to reach these children when they are little, today Alec speaks, socialises, goes to mainstream school (with an aide) goes to parties, has friends. Two years ago life was very different for us, nothing will ever be "normal" but it isn't about normal it is about teaching life skills, helping them fit in our alien world and things we take for granted to these children. We will never be able to repay the Autism Association EI centre what we owe them for the wonderful things they have done for us in helping Alec.

Here is a letter from Tasha, I am humbled by the wonderful ladies that gave so freely at the crop day, this is what you have done for us.

Hi Ali

The money raised helped us to get new furniture for our Early intervention Centre

It has helped us to set up our group room so that it reflects as kindy or pre-primary setting, so the children can learn to move around from one activity to another within the one room. We have set up schedules within the room so when given a coloured card ie red, they can move to the red corner and match the card to the pocket and then sit down in preparation to start working.

The furniture has helped us develop programs that can accommodate for more children. The children have loved the new centre and the staff have been so happy with their new furniture and group room storage so they can access resources immediately. The weighted blanket and weighted vest have proved a bit hit for children that seek out deep pressure and need extra weight through their bodies to remain calm. We have been waiting to purchase these weighted products for over a year- they have been a fantastic resource for both the children and staff.

I cant thank you enough for the support that you have given us. Your passion and drive helps us to move forward and develop new experiences for the children and staff of Early Intervention.

Tasha Alach
Clinical Manager
Early Intervention

The Autism Association
68 Churchill Street
Subiaco 6000
(08) 9489 8900

Autism Crop Fundraiser

You would have thought that by now I would have thought up a better name wouldn't you, but I have never been very good at titles and names... so to the point!!

It is official, we have set the date for the 2007 Autism Crop! June 23rd at the North Beach baptist Church.

So what do I want from you? I want supplies, old magazines, cutlery, crockery, tea towels, anything I can sell or raffle.

The favourite from last year was this big meat tray of SB supplies I did, it was a great deal, there was $250 worth of product on the tray and the tray almost raised $300 on its own! So even if you have 1 packet of anything or 40 packs and would like to donate please email me at autismcrop@gmail.com and I will give you my postal address.

If you are interested in tickets also email me, fliers will be ready for circulation in a few weeks but don't worry I will be reminding you about it every week from now until the crop!

They were so thrilled with what they were able to buy with the money we raised for the Early Intervention Centre last year, like any outfit they have an operating budget and that is for the bare necessities, so anything extra we can give them will make such a difference to the children.

This is Alec's last year at EI, the funds raised will be for equipment for the 2008 children, but this is something I can to give back and to help others at the centre as our family have been helped. EI (early intervention) is the most important thing for children with autism and this centre has done amazing things with Alec, so please if you can, lend a Helping Hand