Fundraising for Autism: Thompson Autism Center at CHOC

Autism is a cause that’s near and dear to my heart, something I’ve written about here on the blog, especially in my early years as a blogger. When I was asked about helping to promote the Carousel of Possible Dreams FUNraising efforts for the Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopment Center at CHOC, I was all in. I am all about fundraising for autism, and I hope you will join me in bringing attention to this very worthy cause!

Fundraising for Autism by Participating in The Carousel of Possible Dreams Fundraiser With CHOC

On December 3, from 8am – 10 am, at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, California, you can ride the carousel around 50 times in order to raise funds to help the autism community. I’ll be there, riding as media and taking photos of SoCal families coming out to help those they know and love!

Autism Spectrum Disorder affects 1 in 36 children in 2023, according to the CDC. Boys are more often diagnosed with ASD, but girls can also be on the spectrum as well. Autism is still vastly misunderstood, but it can cause behaviors, social, speech and language challenges, medical issues, tics, lack of eye contact, and so much more. You can learn more at the Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopment Center website. Children with autism are often excluded — in school, in their neighborhoods, and even within their families. The more support and therapies a child can get will help them thrive and succeed even more, and this extends to their siblings and parents as well.

Sign up at the CHOC FUNraising website here, then get the word out to your family members, coworkers, colleagues, neighbors and friends.

For the weeks leading up to the carousel ride, we are collecting pledges online for committing to this dizzying feat! Our challenge is to raise $20,000 in support of the Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopment Center at CHOC – a multidisciplinary clinic devoted to providing diagnostic evaluations, behavioral consultations, therapy and medical management for children and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Through the center’s unique programs, children have a centralized place where they can receive the possibility to reach their true potential.

Anyone is welcome to come and cheer on the FUNraisers, as the carousel is open for this event before the mall is open to regular shoppers, but those who participate in fundraising will get a FREE breakfast AND, even better (at least in my eyes), you’ll get a free photo with the big guy himself, Santa Claus.

If you have ever had a son, daughter, relative, or friend with neurodiversity challenges (autism, ADHD, dyslexia), please use Giving Tuesday to help us generate awareness for them and their cause. All philanthropic contributions to the center are crucial in offering essential, non-reimbursable services to children and their families, ultimately enhancing health outcomes and quality of life.

Please consider enrolling to FUNraise. This approach to fundraising for autism can make immeasurable differences for those affected, and is relatively easy to do. South Coast Plaza is a beautiful mall to shop at, and the carousel alone is an enjoyable experience. I hope to see you there!