please vote for autism resources, pepsi refresh grant.

[Guest guest]

Even if you are not living in this area, please vote. Every new program that is

autism related encourages more research and other programs to focus on autism!

UMW Vies for Pepsi Refresh Challenge

UMW is competing for a $25,000 Pepsi Refresh Challenge grant that will support

the development and operation (or support) of the UMW Autism Clinic and Play

Lab, managed through the University of Washington Foundation.

Myers, associate professor of education, said that the Autism Clinic and

Play Lab will provide much-needed resources for children with autism and related

disabilities in the Fredericksburg area. The Play Lab allows UMW students, under

faculty supervision, to learn how to work with children with autism and related

disabilities and to train parents in strategies that they can use at home.

This month, UMW's endeavor is eligible for public voting on the Pepsi Refresh

website. You can vote for your favorite project once daily through Saturday,

July 31.

The Pepsi Refresh Project awards up to $1.3 million every month during 2010, in

the categories of $5,000, $25,000, $50,000 and $250,000. The proposals must be

from individuals, non-profit organizations, or pro-social businesses that want

to make a positive impact in the community.

Please support this worthwhile cause. The UMW project is currently ranked No.

56, but must be in the top five to be funded. Go to

www.refresheverything.com/umwautismclinicplaylab and click on " vote for this

idea. " You will be prompted to register, if you haven't already. Then, you can

vote each day this month for the Play Lab.

Help UMW make a difference in the lives of the region's children with autism and

related disabilities. Please share with any support groups, individuals, church

groups, and other parties who might be interested in bringing better services to

the area. For more information, contact Myers at 540/286-8026 or

nmyers@....