Fundraising group to get gaudy for autism
February 8, 2009
By ANN MARIE FRENCH, The Saratogian
SARATOGA SPRINGS — A volunteer organization providing recreational activities for teens and young adults with autism spectrum disorders is hoping a party with badly dressed guests will result in the funding necessary to expand their programming.
ASPIRe NY Inc. has been named as the recipient of the money to be raised from the sixth annual Gaudy Gala, an event that encourages guests to dig out their tackiest and ugliest formal wear for a night of good food, good times, and fundraising for a local nonprofit organization. To date, the Gaudy Gala has raised more than $14,000 for four local charities.
“Whatever we make on this gala is going to be the difference of running programs or not,” said Julie Marks, vice president and treasurer for the organization. Marks and the founder of ASPIRe, Deb Garrelts, are the brains and labor behind the group’s mission and accomplishments.
Autism Spectrum Peer Integration and Recreation is the full name of the not-for-profit. Garrelts started it in 2003 as a support group for parents with autistic children. She wanted them to have an outlet to voice concerns, seek advice and enjoy the company of others who had a set of parenting struggles different from most. Eventually, the parents in the group began to wonder why they weren’t getting their children together to experience a similar sense of camaraderie.
“They thought they should get the kids out and do normal things,” Marks said. “The kids isolate themselves and are often lonely or depressed.” So in 2005 the “lunch bunch” was born.
Marks moved into the area soon after and was one of many who had begun to discover the group. Few social support groups exist, which resulted in members joining from all over the Capital Region. As the group expanded, the responsibilities and workload grew. Garrelts, a full-time occupational therapist, was feeling overwhelmed. So Marks, who holds a teaching certification from New Jersey, offered to help.
“There are over 30 participants and a mailing list of over 150 people,” Marks said. “We’re it. There is an unbelievable need out there. People come from Lake George to Albany.”
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