 Columbus,
OH (May 28, 2008) – The ViaQuest
Foundation, a not-for-profit organization,
hosted its first annual “Drive
Out Autism” rally Monday evening
– bringing together PGA Tour
Member Cliff Kresge, The Ohio State
University Golf Teams, Autism-related
non-profit organizations, Autism treatment
centers and State Rep. John Peterson
to unite Central Ohio for a day of
information and inspiration for local
families.
The rally, held
at the Golf Centre of Dublin, is
an annual event hosted by The ViaQuest
Foundation and emceed by Johnny
DiLoretto, host of “Good Day
Columbus” ABC 6 & FOX
28.
In addition to family-friendly
activities including SNAG golf and
mingling with animals from the Ohio
Wildlife Center, the rally featured
an information fair with representatives
from Autism Speaks, Quest for Independence,
Autism Society of America, COFEAT
(Central Ohio Families for Early
Autism Treatment), Angels with Autism,
Habilitation Services, Helping Hands
Center, OCALI (Ohio Center for Autism
and Low Incidence), PAK Foundation,
Autism Society of Ohio, and Silver
Lining.
To kick off the event, Jon Peterson
spoke to the crowd about Ohio’s
role in autism research and awareness,
and his personal dedication to helping
support families of children with
autism.
PGA Tour Member Cliff Kresge –
participant in the 2008 Memorial
Tournament – made a special
appearance to discuss his personal
experience with autism an as he
in raising a son who is on the autism
spectrum. With a busy week ahead,
Kresge spent two hours talking with
parents, meeting kids and signing
golf balls.
Also present at the rally were
representatives from the Ohio State
University Varsity Men’s and
Women’s Golf Teams, who provided
an inspirational golf demonstration
by breaking down the “wall
of limitations,” a foam board
with the words “isolation,”
“fear,” “failure”
and “rejection” painted
on the front. One by one, the Ohio
State Golf team members took turns
driving golf balls through the wall,
helping to dispel the myths about
youth with special needs.
“The first annual ViaQuest
Foundation “Drive Out Autism”
rally was a huge success! Not only
were we able to raise awareness
about autism and our efforts to
provide programming to children
on the spectrum, we were also able
to connect many area families with
agencies that can support them and
their children for years to come,”
stated Derek Kinzer, PGA professional
and Program Director for the ViaQuest
Foundation.
About The ViaQuest Foundation
ViaQuest Foundation, Dublin OH,
was established to enrich the lives
of adolescents and young adults
facing intellectual, emotional and
behavioral challenges through recreational
activities designed to enhance life
skills development. Now in itsfourth
year, the organization’s Golf
and Life Skills program has provided
2,600 programming hours to more
than 310 adolescents with special
needs. For more information, visit
ViaQuestFoundation.Org. |
