As Puzzlethon™ is ASCONN’s major fundraiser for the year, of course, I love it because the money it raises helps ASCONN do the things we do. Mini-grants to families to build fences or buy door locks or window guards to keep children safe; running support groups to help families connect with each other, learn and share; advocating for change in policy and legislation; helping families find the resources they need for their loved ones; and all the programs, services and resources that ASCONN provides to our community.

But the real reason to love Puzzlethon™? It’s stories like Ali’s. Ali is a non-verbal young lady who amazed her parents and teachers with her enthusiasm for Puzzlethon™. Ali’s parents had struggled with her behavior as Ali had a very difficult time in new environments or where things were out of the ordinary. A trip to the market was a challenge most days. But Ali really wanted to come to Puzzlethon™. So her parents brought her there expecting that she might not even make it in the door, or if she did, that her tolerance would only go so far and they would have to leave within minutes of arriving. Surprise, surprise, for more than TWO HOURS, Ali joined in the Puzzlethon™, completing several puzzles in an unfamiliar environment. The look of joy on Ali’s face and her parents’ faces is what Puzzlethon™ means to me.

Come on out on Saturday, March 5 (yes that is THIS Saturday) from 12-4 at sites around the state.  Find the location nearest you on our website. Create a fundraising page for yourself or donate to an existing participant or team. Most of all, come and join in a wonderful event where everyone can have fun. All ages. All abilities.  See you there!

Here’s Chelsea getting a fist bump from ASCONN for raising over $500 at her school on “Hat Day for Autism”.  Chelsea’s mom received one of our “Help Now” mini-grants a few years ago to purchase a special car seat. Now 10 years old and a happy fourth grader at the public school, Chelsea wanted to give back. Her idea?

Let kids pay $1 and wear a hat to school. Obviously, the kids at her school like to wear hats. Check out the posters Chelsea and her friends made to advertise the day.    Great idea, Chelsea!

If you didn’t have a chance to catch Joe Petrowski, Jr.’s amazing light show fundraiser for ASCONN, he was kind enough to send us pictures of the event.   Joe is a lighting designer and every year he decorates his house in Guilford with over 50,000 lights synchronized to music.  He raises funds for charities and for 2010, ASCONN was the lucky recipient of Joe’s hard work and generosity raising over $2,000!

Without the generosity of our donors and friends, ASCONN could not continue to do the work we do here in Connecticut helping our families living with autism.   How can you help?  You can participate in our Puzzlethon™ fundraiser, you can donate a car, boat or truck to our organization, you can direct payroll deductions to us through your employer or United Way program, you can donate online directly or if you have an idea for a fundraiser that you would like to work on in your local community, give us a call, we’d be happy to help!