Katrina help for families with autism. by dawnsister

NEWS HEADLINE DISCUSSIONS

Katrina help for families with autism.

POSTED BY: DAWNSISTER
UPDATED: Sunday, September 4, 2005 06:25
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Sunday, September 4, 2005 6:25 AM

If you know anyone on-site helping out please pass this on.

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
September 3, 2005
Contact:
Wendy Fournier, NAA (RI) 401-632-7523
Peg Pickering, (MS) 622-488-9619

Mississippi Emergency Shelter Available For
Hurricane Victims with Autism, Developmental Disabilities

The National Autism Association (NAA) Requests Help
from Local Authorities

Toccopola, MS - Peg Pickering, the mother of an
autistic child, has offered to provide emergency housing for
families of children with autism and other developmental disorders
at Camp Yocona in Toccopola, MS. The camp can accommodate up to 350
people in cabins that can sleep up to 8 people each. Each group of
4-5 cabins has a bathhouse. A large commercial kitchen and dining
hall is available and a volunteer will be staffing the kitchen to
prepare meals including gluten and casein free options for children
on restricted diets.

"The camp will provide a healing environment for
parents and children alike, offering a place of solace and shelter
while the families regroup and decide where to go from here,"
commented Pickering who is coordinating this effort.

Volunteers are needed at evacuation sites to help
identify children with autism and their families and let them know
that assistance is available.

According to NAA Executive Director Jo
Pike, "Children with autism have very special needs. A simple
disruption in routine can be devastating to them. We are calling on
local authorities and relief organizations to help us locate these
families as quickly as possible."

Anyone with information on families of children with
developmental disabilities needing shelter as a result of the
hurricane and its aftermath are asked to contact the National Autism
Association toll free at 866-622-6733, or Peg Pickering at 662-488-
9619.

Tax-deductible donations to assist with this effort
can be made online at
http://www.nationalautismassociation.org/proddetail.php?prod=Katrina

Checks can be mailed to:
First United Methodist Church of Pontotoc
Good Samaritan Autism Fund
P.O. Box 308
Pontotoc, MS 38863

In addition to monetary donations, the camp is in
need of twin-size bed linens, towels, washcloths, toiletries,
toothbrushes and toothpaste, diapers, wipes, etc. Donations of
these items can be shipped to:

ASD KATRINA RESCUE
C/O Peg Pickering
2901 Highway 9 South
Pontotoc, MS 38863

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