Connecting the Pieces in 2017
By Susan Byrum
Autism Pensacola is excited to announce this year’s Connecting the Pieces gala will be hosted by a team of incredible friends—Grover & Jill Robinson and Dr. Brett & Rocky Parra. The Robinsons and Parras have selected the theme “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” for this year’s event.
Brett Parra is a former API board member and Rocky is a current board member. Grover Robinson is County Commissioner for Escambia County, District 4. Jill is a teacher at Episcopal Day School. The couples have been friends for years. Their children have gone to school together over the years, and the families vacation together. The couples have also volunteered together on a number of projects.
The Robinsons & Parras have worked diligently, since last fall, to make this a well-received and fun affair. Their volunteer committees have helped them, secure sponsors, collect great auction items, and put together a delicious menu for the evening.
Rocky said, “We attended our first API gala eight years ago, right after receiving our son’s diagnosis. We made great connections there and began new friendships that still sustain us today. Our circle of friends from ‘before autism’ also rallied around us and welcomed autism into their lives, their homes, and holiday celebrations. We are so grateful to honor them by working with Autism Pensacola to continue to increase understanding and acceptance in our community.”
The annual “Connecting the Pieces” Gala is the major fundraiser that allows API to address the varied needs of both the local individuals on the autism spectrum and their families, as well as increasing awareness to make our community a safer and more accepting place. All proceeds from the gala directly support local programs, including the nationally recognized Kids for Camp summer learning lab. The 14th annual “Connecting the Pieces” gala will be held on Thursday, April 27, at Sanders Beach-Corrine Jones Resource Center.
For more information on how to support the 14th “Connecting the Pieces” Gala and other efforts throughout the year, visit www.autismpensacola.org or call (850) 434-7171.
Awareness day at the Ballpark
Join us for a special day of awareness and one of America’s favorite pastimes as we work towards making #Steps2Acceptance.
As a kick-off to the Steps for Autism 2017 fundraising season, Autism Pensacola, Inc., is hosting an afternoon of autism awareness at the Pensacola Blue Wahoos game on Sunday, April 9th at 4:00 p.m.
Reid Soria of Autism Sings, LLC. will start the afternoon out by singing the National Anthem. A representative of API will throw out the first pitch. And after the game, join us as we run the bases!
The Wahoos will be wearing special autism-themed jerseys as they take on the Tennessee Smokies. The jerseys will be auctioned off after the game with proceeds going to API to help improve the lives of those living with autism.
Tickets are free to individuals with autism, $5 for API members, and $10 for non-members. There are a limited number of tickets available. Visit http://autismpensacola.org/event/wahoos-game-2017/ to purchase.
GO WAHOOS!
