Annual Choose Blue Dinner and Silent Auction Tickets On Sale March 15
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.
Since 1891, Buena Vista University has prepared students for lifelong success and blends liberal arts with real-world applications. Our traditional campus on the shores of Storm Lake hosts students in a variety of majors and pre-professional programs, including elementary, secondary, and special education; business and accounting; and biological and chemical sciences. Our 16 degree-completion locations, online, and graduate programs expand student potential with a pace and academic rigor designed for working adults and a variety of class formats that make scheduling even more convenient. BVU is an affordable option for all students and, combined with its academic programs, has led U.S. News & World Report to rank BVU as the third best value school among Midwest Regional Colleges. Visit www.bvu.edu.
