An Indiana University of Pennsylvania sorority will have several events to raise funds and awareness about autism during April. April is national Autism Awareness Month.
Alpha Xi Delta sorority is currently selling blue light bulbs as a kick off for this month's events. Members will be selling blue light bulbs at the Hadley Union Building from noon to 4:00 p.m. on April 2, which is World Autism Awareness Day. Blue is the color symbolizing autism awareness.
On April 22, the group will host its 12th Quarter Mile event from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in downtown Indiana along Philadelphia Street. The students will attempt to make a quarter-mile of donated quarters along the street, and will be collecting at the university and in the community during the month of April. Laid side by side, 15,840 quarters—totaling $4,000—are required to span that distance. Businesses or individuals that make a donation will be invited to write their names in chalk on the sidewalks.
The sorority is also planning a 5K run on April 25 at Blue Spruce Park. Registration for the run begins at 4:30 p.m. and the race begins at 6:00 p.m. The students plan to have blue lighted items for runners and have blue lights along the path of the run. Early registration for the run (before April 11) is $25; after April 11 and day of race is $35. Registration information is available by calling (484) 883-6421 or e-mailing R.M.Clippinger@iup.edu.
All funds raised during the month will benefit Autism Speaks, the largest organization in the nation focusing on autism. The sorority is also working with Autism Speaks U, a student organization raising awareness about autism.
Photo information: From left, IUP President Michael Driscoll receives a blue light bulb from Alpha Xi Delta sorority members Rachel Clippinger, Megan Hart, and Sarah Harrington. Pictured in back are Autism U members Kenneth Snell and Sara Jamison.