Gala Committee
As part of BCASC’s mission to raise awareness through education and raise funds to support our goals we held two fundraising dinners in 2008. Over 100 people attended each event.
Our first fundraiser, a pre-conference dinner was held on March 28, 2008 at the site of our first conference, Central Bucks South High School, featuring Drs. Robert and Lynne Koegel of the Koegel Autism Center, University of California, Santa Barbara, California. The Koegel’s keynote address featured updates on their research and amusing anecdotes from Dr. Lynne Koegel regarding her venture into reality television. She participated as a consultant for producers and a family of a child with Autism for the television show “Super Nanny.”
Opportunities for sponsorship for the Pre-Conference dinner was offered at three levels, Platinum for a contribution of $600, Gold for a contribution of $300 and Silver for a contribution of $150. Sponsorship for our Pre-Conference Dinner included advertising in the dinner/conference program, tickets to the dinner and recognition on our website, www.bcasc.org.
Our second fundraising dinner was held at Spring Mill Manor on November 8, 2008. Dr. Susan Levy, Developmental Pediatrician and Director of Regional Autism Center at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia delivered the Keynote address. Her presentation “Advances in Autism Research at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP): Center for Autism Research” highlighted the excellence in assessment, research and intervention in progress at CHOP, current view of autism genetics, and brain imaging studies. She shared a short film outlining CHOP’s medical and research staff and new devices, such as the magnetoencephalography (MEG).
Both events featured a silent auction with items from local business and service providers. Teachers and administrators from local schools provided a financial contribution to our first dinner which provided additional items for door prizes (GPS) and silent auction items. A sumptuous dinner and dessert buffet at Central Bucks South were provided by Sodexho. None Such Farms donated pumpkins for our dinner in November which were decorated by the children in Autistic Support classrooms in Central Bucks School District. Our second dance also featured a silent auction, raffle and dancing to the sounds of DJ, John Carroll of JC Entertainment. Spring Mill Manor provided a delicious dinner.
