'New Decade' Fundraiser Brings In Over $2M
Tony Bennett, left, with Autism Speaks co-founders Suzanne and Bob Wright, wowed the audience at the event with a surprise performance. Click here for a photo gallery from the event. Click here
to view "Autism Every Day", a film that was shown during the event.
Nearly 650 people gathered in New York City on May 9, 2006, for "A New Decade for Autism: Changing the Future Together." Mrs. Laura Bush was the honorary chair of this fundraising dinner, which took place at the spectacular Pier 60 overlooking the Hudson River. The evening program, which was emceed by NBC's Stone Phillips, included a sit-down dinner, guest speakers, and musical entertainment by Tony Bennett. It was a huge success, raising over $2 million to benefit children with autism.
The theme of the evening was to celebrate the future of autism and discuss new initiatives in research, education, and awareness. Guest speakers included Jim Simons on the state of autism research, Laura Slatkin on the establishment of the NYCA Charter School and efforts to enhance autism education within the public school system, and Bob Wright on Autism Speaks' three-year Ad Council campaign to promote awareness about autism.
The evening began with a moving documentary, presented by Channel 11's Jim Watkins, which highlighted the daily challenges of dealing with autism and underscored the urgency of taking action to end this epidemic. Laura Slatkin and NYCA Board Member Bill Rudin presented awards to NYC School Chancellor Joel Klein and Regent Merryl Tisch, respectively, for their relentless support in helping to establish the NYCA Charter School.
Suzanne Wright closed the evening with a message of hope: "We are walking toward a future of hope, a future of promise, and a future when autism is not a daily struggle for millions of families but a word for the history books. I'm convinced that together we are going to dramatically change the field of autism in education, research, and treatment. We are indeed entering a new decade for autism."
Dinner co-chairs were Marilyn and Jim Simons, founders of The Simons Foundation; Laura and Harry Slatkin, founders of the New York Center for Autism; and Suzanne and Bob Wright, founders of Autism Speaks. Proceeds from the event will be split between Autism Speaks and the New York Center for Autism Charter School, New York State's first charter school dedicated exclusively to educating children with autism.
The theme of the evening was to celebrate the future of autism and discuss new initiatives in research, education, and awareness. Guest speakers included Jim Simons on the state of autism research, Laura Slatkin on the establishment of the NYCA Charter School and efforts to enhance autism education within the public school system, and Bob Wright on Autism Speaks' three-year Ad Council campaign to promote awareness about autism.
The evening began with a moving documentary, presented by Channel 11's Jim Watkins, which highlighted the daily challenges of dealing with autism and underscored the urgency of taking action to end this epidemic. Laura Slatkin and NYCA Board Member Bill Rudin presented awards to NYC School Chancellor Joel Klein and Regent Merryl Tisch, respectively, for their relentless support in helping to establish the NYCA Charter School.
Suzanne Wright closed the evening with a message of hope: "We are walking toward a future of hope, a future of promise, and a future when autism is not a daily struggle for millions of families but a word for the history books. I'm convinced that together we are going to dramatically change the field of autism in education, research, and treatment. We are indeed entering a new decade for autism."
Dinner co-chairs were Marilyn and Jim Simons, founders of The Simons Foundation; Laura and Harry Slatkin, founders of the New York Center for Autism; and Suzanne and Bob Wright, founders of Autism Speaks. Proceeds from the event will be split between Autism Speaks and the New York Center for Autism Charter School, New York State's first charter school dedicated exclusively to educating children with autism.
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