Autism Awareness Fundraisers Benefit Hope Enterprises

WILLIAMPSORT, Pa. –  Hope Enterprises, a non-profit provider of services for individuals with intellectual disABILITIES in Lycoming, Clinton, Northumberland, Columbia, Montour, Snyder, and Union counties, is benefitting from two area fundraising activities in April, National Autism Awareness Month.

The first is the sale of a locally designed and produced tote promoting autism awareness. Created by area business Equinox LTD, which manufactures sewn goods such as outdoor gear and environmentally friendly reusable bags, the $15 limited-edition tote was designed with help from children in the BLaST Intermediate Unit 17 Autism Support Classroom at Central Elementary in South Williamsport.

Hope will receive $5 from the sale of each tote.

"We're grateful for the creativity and generosity that Equinox LTD has exhibited through this fundraiser to benefit Hope and the services we provide to area individuals," said Robert Labatch, president of Hope Enterprises. "We're especially excited that this project involved the help of children in the Autism Support Classroom at Central Elementary."

Made of 10.10-ounce Army duck canvas with 22" cotton handles, the 14" wide x 13.5" high x 4" deep tote features a puzzle piece that incorporates images of children's handprints along with the words "Autism Awareness: Reaching Beyond Limits." The totes were printed by Moonlight Graphics Studio.

Equinox is offering the tote through its website at equinoxltd.com. To avoid shipping fees, local buyers can pick up their totes at Equinox, 1307 Park Avenue in Williamsport, by using the code PICKUP during online checkout. The company, which strives to maintain a human-friendly, earth-friendly environment for a lower carbon footprint, is known for its handcrafted product quality, precision and attention to detail.

Hope also benefitted from an April 14 fundraiser held at the Williamsport Country Club. Sponsored by The WildLife of Autism and the Hope Enterprises Children's Development Center, "A Safari Soiree" helped to raise funds for a new wellness program for adults with intellectual disABILITIES.

About 1 in 68 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to estimates from U.S. Centers for Disease Control Autism and intellectual disABILITIES Monitoring (ADDM) Network.