Monday, September 12, 2011

DAN MARINO FOUNDATION TEAMS UP WITH LOCAL AUTISM AGENCIES FOR THE ANNUAL DAN MARINO FOUNDATION WALKABOUT AUTISM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MEDIA CONTACT:
September 2, 2011 Rixys Alfonso
954.530.5511 or 305.558.8877
rixys@danmarinofoundation.org

DAN MARINO FOUNDATION TEAMS UP WITH LOCAL AUTISM AGENCIES FOR THE ANNUAL DAN MARINO FOUNDATION WALKABOUT AUTISM
Event to take place at Sun Life Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins, on Saturday, January 28, 2012

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA – The Dan Marino Foundation has once again teamed up with local South Florida autism agencies to celebrate the Dan Marino Foundation WalkAbout Autism, benefiting the Autism Societies of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, UM-NSU CARD (Center for Autism & Related Disabilities) and the Dan Marino Foundation. . This exciting and unique event will take place on Saturday, January 28th, 2012 from 10 am to 2 pm at Sun Life Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins.

Driven by individuals with autism, their families and friends, this historic fundraising effort generates crucial funds for the autism community of South Florida. Corporate sponsorships are available, and corporate teams are encouraged to join the fun. All proceeds raised through this event will stay in our local community and benefit autism services, and awareness. Participating South Florida schools will receive 25% of the money raised by their teams to support special needs programming in their school. Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disorder. According to the Center for Disease Control, 1 in 110 children in the United States have autism.

“As parents of children with autism, my wife Rachel and I are thrilled to be a part of the Dan Marino Foundation WalkAbout Autism,” noted Jeff Ireland, General Manager of the Miami Dolphins. “We know first hand the importance of support services for children and adults with autism and this event will raise money specifically for those services right here in South Florida. Having the event at Sun Life Stadium where Dan played his Hall of Fame career for the Miami Dolphins seemed like the perfect choice.”

Celebrity walk attendees include:
Dan Marino: Legendary Hall of Fame & Miami Dolphins Quarterback
Rachel & Jeff Ireland, Miami Dolphins General Manager
Alumni Miami Dolphins Players
Miami-Dade and Broward County Elected Officials
Local Celebrities as well as Local News and Television Anchors

The Sports Animal WINZ 940’s own Footy, legendary South Florida radio persona and host of the South Florida Sportsman Show, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies. Members of the media are invited to attend the event. The event kicks off at 10 am on Saturday, January 28th, 2012 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens. For more information about the event or how to participate, go to www.dmfwalkaboutautism.org  

ABOUT THE DAN MARINO FOUNDATION:
The Dan Marino Foundation was established by Dan and Claire Marino in 1992. The Foundation’s mission is to “open doors” towards independence for the Autism community, children with special needs, teenagers transitioning from foster care and young adults with disabilities. The Foundation fulfills this mission by supporting comprehensive integrated treatment programs, providing outreach services, advancing scientific research, and building independence through employment and daily living transition programs. The Foundation has raised over $32 million since its inception, to fund quality-of-life research, build the Miami Children’s Hospital Dan Marino Center, and opening fall of 2012 the Dan Marino Foundation Vocational Campus. For more information, please visit www.danmarinofoundation.org.

ABOUT UM-NSU CENTER FOR AUTISM & RELATED DISABILITIES:
UM-NSU CARD (Center for Autism and Related Disabilities) is a program of the UM Department of Psychology and NSU’s Fischler School of Education and Human Services Programs in Speech, Language & Communication and is a state-funded resource and support program dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorders, dual sensory impairments (deafblindness) and sensory impairments with other disabling conditions. UM-NSU CARD has offices in Coral Gables, North Miami Beach and Davie, and serves over 5500 families in Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. UM-NSU CARD, with generous support from the Unicorn Children’s Foundation also developed the first of its kind Mobile Family Clinic to promote autism screenings and awareness to underserved communities. For more information, please visit www.umcard.org.

ABOUT AUTISM SOCIETY-BROWARD COUNTY:
The Autism Society of Broward County was established in 1992. It is a not-for-profit organization that is made up of parents and professionals who volunteer their time to help children and parents in Broward County. It supports a variety of family activities, monthly support groups, monthly informational meetings, and is continually raising autism awareness in our community. For more information, please visit www.asabroward.org.

ABOUT AUTISM SOCIETY OF MIAMI-DADE:
The Autism Society of Miami-Dade is part of the Autism Society of America founded in 1965. It is a volunteer, parent-based organization, serving approximately 1000 families in Miami-Dade, giving families a place where they can be themselves and not feel alone. The Autism Society of MiamiDade is committed to providing support and promoting opportunities to enhance the lives of individuals within the autism spectrum and their families and caregivers. It sponsors events and forums for sharing and caring and by helping ensure that all receive the support and services they need while respecting individual needs and preferences. It encourages and promotes cooperative relationships between families and the schools, agencies, and professionals involved in the lives of their loved ones within the autism spectrum. The Autism Society believes that all individuals within the autism spectrum can make a unique contribution to his or her family and community. For more information, please visit www.autismsocietymiami.org.
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