Fw: ARI puzzle pieces : For those going to the National Autism Conference in Atlanta

[Guest guest]

The Puzzle Pieces will be available in the ARI booth at the NAA Conference! They are like the shamrocks and ribbons and balloons sold to support other causes.You can pick up as many packets as you would like from Matt Kabler in the Autism Research Institute's booth. Be sure to spread the word at the conference and encourage others to stop by the booth and get involved. We have got to get LOTS of parents involved to make this dream a reality. A MILLION dollars for research IS possible – if we make sure that EVERYONE who knows and loves an individual with an Autism Spectrum Disorder donates a buck for an Autism Puzzle Piece! We need EVERYONE to become part of this grassroots effort.

Below is a post from Lynda Huggins. Please contact her if you have any questions or for additional information. Thanks,

Ann Collett

mom to , 14, autism

Many thanks for your interest in participating in the Autism Puzzle Pieces project.

I think a lot of people were a little leery of my Autism Puzzle Pieces project initially. And I don't blame them one bit for being cautious. There are so many less than trust-worthy causes out there. I'm sure that having the project included in the ARI newsletter has given people more faith in me and what I hope to do - raise a MILLION dollars for the research we all want so badly, especially a vaccinated vs. unvaccinated study. I have full confidence in ARI and have known the new director, Steve Edelson, PhD, since 1990, when my son and I flew to Oregon to participate in an AIT (Auditory Integration Therapy) research study that Steve was doing with Bernie. I KNOW in my heart that he will continue Dr. Rimland's dream to Defeat Autism Now!

100% of funds raised by the puzzle pieces will go to ARI. There are NO administrative costs. The Autism Puzzle Pieces come in packets of 50 and actually sell themselves if you can get them in a location with lots of people traffic. The gas station/convenience store where I buy a coke each day sold 90! The small beauty shop where I get my hair done, sold 33. You just need to get them to display the signed pieces along with a 1-page poster included in the packet) to tell people what they are for. If you know someone with a business who knows your family, especially your child, they will probably be happy to distribute the puzzle pieces.

There is no cost involved. You simply tell me how many you think you can sell. Then return the signed puzzle pieces and the money collected to me. I prefer that you not send cash through the mail. So if you don't mind, deposit the money collected and write a check in that amount payable to the Autism Research Institute. It is helpful to have the money sent in to me monthly as I am forwarding it to ARI at the end of each month. You do not need to wait until you have sold all the puzzle pieces. We especially do not want to hold checks that people have written too long.

There are many ways to distribute the puzzle pieces. If you have children who are old enough to go door to door in your neighborhood, they will be able to help. Almost everyone will donate a buck to a good cause.

Just send me your mailing address and tell me how many packets you would like for me to send to you. If you know of others who may be interested in helping, please print and distribute the attached information. The more puzzle pieces packets I mail at one time, the better the postage rate. I was not sure if you understood that there are 50 puzzle pieces in a package when you requested 10-20 packets. I can get 3 packets in a single set-price Priority mailer. Would you like to start off with say 9 packets (450 puzzle pieces), or less, and order more as you need them? Just let me know how many you want and I will get them in the mail to you ASAP.

The Puzzle Pieces will now be available at every DAN! conference and every conference at which ARI has a booth. Feel free to share this information with any autism event - local meetings, conference, etc. This grassroots effort will grow if we each get others involved!

I know in my heart that we can do this as a grassroots effort! Thanks for helping honor Dr. Rimland's memory and raise money for the Autism Research we all need and want.

Lynda Huggins

(mother of Jon age 32)

24 Lane

Monroe, LA 71203

318-547-7043, cell

318-343-7698, home