#chooseblue

Storm Lake, Iowa (April 11, 2017) – A panel of experts will discuss access to services and other issues facing individuals and families who have been impacted by autism on Sunday, April 23 at 3:15 p.m. in Schaller Memorial Chapel on the Buena Vista University (BVU) campus.

The panel is part of the annual “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.  

“We are bringing experts to rural Iowa that we don't often have access to,” said Marie Sennett, 2017 Choose Blue coordinator. “I am proud of this this panel and to be able to provide time for questions presented by families and individuals so we all can all become more skilled advocates for our loved ones who have been impacted by an autism.”  

“It is great that we can offer experts of this quality to the community while raising awareness of the needs of our Iowans dealing with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder,” added Dr. Peter Steinfeld, associate dean of faculty at BVU.

There will also be a youth fair on April 23 from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Lamberti Recreation Center on the BVU campus. Parents are encouraged to attend the expert panel while children of all ages and abilities enjoy face painting, creating a community service project and other activities alongside BVU students.

Other weekend events include the Seventh Annual Choose Blue Dinner and Silent Auction sponsored by the Elijah’s Project, a 5K race and “Arch Story” speakers to raise funds and awareness in honor of BVU President Fred Moore, and his wife, Susan, who are serving as honorary co-chairs of this collection of events.

The panel of experts include:

Gregory L. Kenyon – “Services for Adults on the Spectrum, Special Education and Trust Accounts”

Gregory L. Kenyon is a shareholder in the Des Moines firm Grandshaw, Fowler, Proctor & Fairgrave, P.C., where he focuses on the general practice of law with an emphasis on estate planning, wills, probate, trust and elder law. Kenyon is the chair of the Iowa Bar Association Elder Law Section and serves on the Iowa Supreme Court Guardianship and Conservatorship Reform Task Force. Kenyon is a frequent speaker at Bar Association and professional continuing education programs on elder law, Medicaid issues, guardian and conservatorship issues, estate planning and probate matters.

Daryl Beall – “How We Approach Legislative Change”

Daryl Beall was elected to the Iowa Senate in 2002 and reelected in 2006 and 2010, and has a proven track record of community service and legislation leadership and accomplishment. Senator Beall has championed the causes of autism, veteran’s rights, mental health, education reform, safe schools, renewable energy, lakes and rivers restoration, skilled jobs creation and training, regional economic development, accessible and affordable health care, keeping children safe from predators and families protected from domestic violence.

Dr. Luke Tsai – “Changes in the Diagnosis of Autism and Tips on How to Access Services”

Dr. Luke Tsai has held academic and professional appointments at the University of Iowa College of Medicine, the University of Kansas School of Medicine, the University of Michigan Medical School and College of Literature, Science and the Arts, as well as the Oakland University School of Education and Human Services. Tsai is a scholar, researcher, teacher and father of a young man with autism. He is also the author of “Taking the Mystery out of Medication in Autism/Asperger Syndromes and Raising our Son with Autism – A Family’s 40-Year Journey.”

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.

For a detailed schedule of events, click here, or for additional information, please contact Sennett at 410-916-6200 or [email protected].  

About Buena Vista University

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.

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.”