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Storm Lake, Iowa (March 10, 2017) – The Annual Choose Blue Dinner and Silent Auction sponsored by the Elijah’s Project will take place Friday, April 21 at 6 p.m. in the Storm Lake Knights of Columbus Hall. The dinner and silent auction will officially mark the kick off to “Choose Blue for Autism: Take Steps to Make a Difference,” which includes a weekend of events designed to educate and raise awareness of the complications that arise from an autism diagnosis.

The Elijah’s Project, which is short for the Elijah Riesenberg Autism Awareness and Action Project, was founded in 2011 by Jeremy Riesenberg and his wife, Melissa, after learning of their eldest son Elijah’s autism diagnosis. In addition to the annual dinner and auction, the Project includes a t-shirt drive to benefit area organizations that help children and adults with autism.

“The prevalence of autism continues to increase each year, meaning more and more children are going to need services from the organizations we support,” said Riesenberg. “Children should receive every single resource and amount of support that they need to have a complete life, and with events like ours that help organizations get the resources they need to help those with autism, we are able to change lives and give those with autism a voice.”

The dinner and silent auction will feature live music by Josh Nielsen and Collin Davis, who have been a part of the event since its inception, as well as a selection of music memorabilia and donations from community businesses for attendees to bid on. Other auction items can be viewed on the Elijah's Project Facebook page.  

“There is no greater feeling in the world than knowing you are changing a life for the better, and that’s what we aim to do with Choose Blue,” adds Riesenberg. “Guests will have a great meal, great entertainment, door prizes and can even win auction items. But the chance to lend support to change someone’s life? That’s priceless.”

This year, Choose Blue for Autism has been expanded to include 5K race, a panel of experts and a youth fair to raise funds and awareness in honor of BVU President Fred Moore, and his wife, Susan’s longstanding commitment to the Storm Lake community. The Moores’ adult son, Stephen, has autism, and when their family moved to Storm Lake in 1995, Stephen was one of the first students in the local school district with autism. Fred and Susan, who are serving as honorary co-chairs of the collection of events, are relocating their family to Florida later this year to secure the funding and care needed for their son.  

Funds raised from the dinner and silent auction will go to Faith, Hope and Charity, Genesis Development and Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency. All other Choose Blue events directly benefit Faith, Hope and Charity and Genesis Development.

Tickets for the event are available March 15 at Storm Lake Radio or can be purchased through Riesenberg at 515-570-1992 or [email protected]. Tickets range in price from $6 (kids) to $12 (adults). For a full schedule of events, visit www.choosebluestormlake.com.

About Buena Vista University

Celebrating 125 years of service.

Storm Lake United teamed up with Bob Jensen and Jessie Polley to feature the City Beautiful in Iowa Journeys, a television series featuring the best that Iowa has to offer.

During this 30-minute segment, Bob and Jessie explore the many different Storm Lake attractions including the hike and bike trail, multiple chainsaw carvings, and the downtown shopping district. They also take a tour of our growing community with the Storm Lake Community School District, Buena Vista Regional Medical Center, and Buena Vista University.

Bob Jensen has been showcasing communities for over 25 years on his highly successful show, Fishing in the Midwest, which has also featured Storm Lake to its audiences back in 2011. Iowa Journey’s has taken their audience and expanded to an estimate of 250,000 viewers per week and is shown in many of the surrounding states. 

Buena Vista University is partnering with Faith, Hope and Charity, Genesis Development and Elijah's Project to present the sixth annual “Choose Blue for Autism: Take Steps to Make a Difference” — a weekend of events designed to educate and raise awareness of the complications that arise from an autism diagnosis. The weekend will kick off with a dinner and silent auction on April 21 and culminate with a full day of activities on April 23 that will include a 5K race, a panel of experts and a youth fair.

Choose Blue for Autism was expanded this year to include further opportunities to raise funds and awareness in honor of BVU President Fred Moore, and his wife, Susan’s longstanding commitment to Storm Lake.  The couple’s adult son, Stephen, has autism, and when their family moved to Storm Lake in 1995, Stephen was one of the first students in the local school district with autism. Stephen has transitioned to a center near Orlando, Fla., that specializes in caring for adults with autism, where he is doing well today. Fred and Susan, who are serving as honorary co-chairs of this collection of events, are relocating their family to Florida later this year to secure the funding and care needed for their son.  

“We are thrilled that BVU can be a major sponsor and help Choose Blue expand their fundraising this year as a thank you to Fred and Susan Moore for their 22-year commitment to the community,” said Marie Sennett, 2017 Choose Blue coordinator.

Funds raised from the events will go to Faith, Hope and Charity, promoting independence and individuality of children and young adults, and to Genesis Development, helping adults live independently in their communities as their abilities allow.  

“There are too many gaps in services,” said Sennett. “Our youth and adults should be given all the advantages in school and job training to overcome any limits a diagnosis of autism brings. Genesis Development and Faith, Hope and Charity need our help to continue to fill those service gaps and bring our loved ones independence.”

Sara Morton, development director at Genesis Development, said, “Genesis Development works hard to provide our most vulnerable population with assistance and accommodations but most importantly, a voice. Donations allow us to give a voice to individuals that have never had one before and give them the ability to go out and do things that they have always dreamed of doing. When people generously care, give and support, we can change lives.”

“This is such an important event,” added Carol Williams, development director at Faith, Hope and Charity. “While we work with children with a variety of diagnoses, 46 percent of the children we serve have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. These disorders don’t discriminate, affecting children from all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. Events like Choose Blue for Autism increase awareness and assist organizations to enhance programs and services to better serve families and children in our area.”