Autism on the Seas & Skyeward Bound Ranch Make Vacation Dreams Come True for Financially Challenged Families with Special Needs Children

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Autism on the Seas & Skyeward Bound Ranch Make Vacation Dreams Come True for Financially Challenged Families with Special Needs ChildrenNational Grant Program Rolls Out Regionally, Highlighted by Contests Offering Cruise Prizes Benefitting Families and Local Non-Profits Supporting AutismFunded by Skyeward Bound Ranch (SBR), the Grant Program is designed to financially assist eligible families wishing to vacation with Autism on the Seas (AotS), a niche travel company that organizes and staffs cruises and land resort vacations for families with children who have autism and other cognitive, intellectual and developmental impairments. The grants may be awarded in any amount up to the full vacation cost for a family of four, minus a deposit. Families may obtain a grant application on the Autism on the Seas website.“I Need a Special Vacation” Essay ContestKicking off in Texas, over the next 12-18 months, AotS will run in-market contests across the U.S. with participating local autism advocacy groups and local chapters of national organizations, such as Autism Speaks, Autism Society of America and the National Autism Association. Families interested in entering the contest are asked to write a 150-word essay on why they need a special vacation.The winner will receive an all-expenses paid cruise or land resort vacation with AotS. Additionally, the non-profit autism advocacy organization named on the entry form by the winner will also receive a cruise. The organization may use the cruise to raise funds or however they wish. Runner-up prizes will also be included. Contest details, rules and submission deadlines can be found on the AotS website. AotS is now accepting entries from Texas contestants. The submission deadline for the Texas region is May 31st; the winning family and organization will be selected and notified by June 20th, 2012. Subsequent contests in other markets will be announced this summer and ongoing through 2013.-------------------------------------------------------------------------Autism Advocacy Group Communication – For Local Chapters“I Need a Special Vacation” Essay Contest(Texas) Families with Special Needs who Need a Special Vacation have a chance to win a cruise or land resort getaway of a lifetime with Autism on the Seas. Families interested in entering the contest are asked to write a 150-word essay on why they need a special vacation. While not mandatory for judging, families are encouraged to submit a photo of their child which will be used to announce the winner and runner-up.The grand prize winner will receive a paid cruise or land resort vacation with AotS, funded by Skyeward Bound Ranch. Runner-up prizes will also be included. Additionally, the organization named on the entry form by the winner will also receive a cruise. The organization may use the cruise to raise funds or however they wish.AotS is now accepting entries from Texas contestants. The submission deadline is May 31st; the winning family and organization will be selected and notified by June 20th, 2012. Subsequent contests in other markets will be announced this summer and ongoing through 2013. Full contest details, rules and submission deadlines can be found on the AotS website.

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Autism Advocacy Group Communication.final.docx

AotS Essay Flier.final.pdf