Light It Up Blue for Autism Fundraiser Underway

Sherrie Dodd knows first hand what raising a child on the autism spectrum is like, she raised a son with the condition who is now 18 years old. She remembers paying the costs for therapy services, autism camps and special therapy equipment for years as her child grew up. Today, he is excelling and continues his education and participates in Special Olympics at their home in the southern United States.

Dodd moved to Glasgow to work at Valley View Nursing Home, and noticed a gap in autism services. “I was looking for something to do for Autism Awareness month, and couldn’t find anything,” explained Dodd, so she decided to take matters into her own hands. Working with some of her associates at Valley View they got permission to have a fundraising bake sale, sell t-shirts and sell autism awareness ribbons to raise money for an autism program.

The next issue Dodd faced was where to send the money. “I wanted the money to go to a local place,” said Dodd, adding that she knew of national programs that would take donations, but that she really wanted to help autism programs in Valley County. On a recommendation from a friend at work, she reached out to Hi-Line Home Programs, Inc. who perform a number of developmental therapy services, but also serve a large population of autistic spectrum children and adults in Northeast Montana. Hi-Line Home agreed to support the fundraiser, and Dodd went to work making it happen.

The bake sale will be Tuesday, April 2, at Valley View Nursing Home from 1 to 4 p.m. T-shirts can be ordered from Dodd or Tammie Hall by calling Valley View at 228-2461, and ribbons are available for purchase at the home as well. All proceeds will go to Hi-Line Home Programs to be used for autism services directly. Services that will benefit include transportation for families and children to special appointments, weighted blankets and therapeutic items, like picture schedules that help children with autism learn to be independent.