Detroit Teams Up For Autism' Tickets Available

Main Category: Autism
Article Date: 19 Jan 2005 - 10:00 PDT


Detroit Coaches Join Tiger Broadcaster Jim Price for Unique Fundraiser on February 8 -

The coaches for all five of Detroit's professional sports teams will lead an all-star team at the Palace of Auburn Hills on Feb. 8 to help raise money for Metro Detroit children and adults with autism. The fundraising dinner will benefit Jack's Place for Autism, a non- profit organization founded by Detroit Tigers broadcaster Jim Price and his wife, Lisa.

This exclusive gathering on the home court of the 2004 NBA World Champion Detroit Pistons and 2003 WNBA World Champion Detroit Shock will feature Pistons Head Coach Larry Brown, Shock Head Coach Bill Laimbeer, Red Wings Head Coach Dave Lewis, Lions Head Coach Steve Mariucci and Tigers Manager Alan Trammell.

Each of the teams has donated a collection of one-of-a-kind sports experiences that include team road trips and training camp opportunities. FOX Sports, ESPN and ABC's Monday Night Football are including national sports experiences. National League All-Star Manager Tony LaRussa will be making a special guest appearance to auction off a once in a lifetime baseball All-Star package. A 2004 XL 883 Sportster, Impact Blue motorcycle will also be included in the event by Motor City Harley-Davidson.

Channel 4 sports anchor Bernie Smilovitz is the master of ceremonies and Joseph DuMouchelle of Adducci-DuMouchelle International Auctioneers will lead the all-star live auction. Event sponsors include: the UAW, General Motors, Ford Motor Co., DaimlerChrysler, metaldyne, WDIV/Local 4 and Oakland University.

Jim and Lisa Price founded Jack's Place just two years ago to provide support, education, compassion and a comprehensive array of services to help families cope with the everyday challenges of autism. The Prices were motivated by the lack of services for families with autistic loved ones.

"We are thrilled to see Detroit's sports leaders step up to this challenge in such a big way," said Jim Price, whose son, Jackson, has autism. "Not only will this event make it possible for us to help more area families, it is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy some one-of-a-kind experiences. If you are a Detroit sports fan, this is THE event for you."

The group recently partnered with Oakland University of Rochester and plans to use proceeds from the event to help create the nation's first campus- based center designed to help meet the needs of area residents with autism spectrum disorders. There are an estimated 1.5 million American children and adults with autism, a neurological disorder that affects how a person perceives and processes sensory information. Typically diagnosed in the first three years of life, autism affects boys at about four times the rate of girls. Individuals with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non- verbal communication, cognitive function and social interactions.

In less than three years Jack's Place has raised enough money to fund several programs for area children and a fulltime executive director at Oakland University, where training, education, service and research is being done to help move individuals with autism to independence.

The number of children diagnosed with autism has skyrocketed since 1990, according to a report to Congress by the U.S. Department of Education. By the end of this decade, experts believe that more than 4 million Americans will have been diagnosed with the developmental disorder, rapidly stretching an already-strapped education, health care and social services system.

For tickets to the event or to make a donation, please call 248-443-7427.

Additional information is available at http://www.jacksplaceforautism.org and http://www.Oakland.edu

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