Rowdy Gaines to Attend Spare Some for Autism’s Bowling Challenge

April 20, 2010 - PRLog -- (Raleigh, NC)--Spare Some for Autism (SSfA), a non-profit dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has announced that three-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Rowdy Gaines, will attend the third annual Celebrity/CEO Kids Bowling Challenge this spring. Gaines and other local celebrities will meet for a night of fun and fundraising Sunday, May 2 at AMF Bowling Lanes in North Raleigh.
In 1991 after earning three gold medals and two world records, Gaines contracted Guillain-Barre Syndrome, an inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nerves that partially paralyzed him for over a month. Gaines fought and overcame the disorder and now is executive director of Rowdy’s Kidz, hosts free swim clinics, and attends celebrity events as an advocate for youths nationwide.
“Rowdy has been a huge supporter of Spare Some for Autism since the beginning,” said Beth Jarvis, Executive Director of Spare Some for Autism. “By attending our fundraising events, he gives kids on the spectrum a chance to meet a real-life champion and inspires them to dream big.”

Previous Bowling Challenges resulted in SSfA awarding nine grants to the Wake County Public School System for educators who work with children on the spectrum. This year, Jarvis hopes for an “even bigger turnout, with even greater success” by participation from celebrities like Gaines.

“The purpose of Spare Some for Autism is to encourage those in the community to give whatever they can to help find answers and, ultimately, a cure,” said Jarvis. “Our desire is that people will be moved to spare some time, spare some love and spare some hope for those individuals who deal with this disorder on a daily basis.”

Registration information and more details are available on the website, www.sparesomeforautism.org, or watch the video for footage from 2008’s Bowling Challenge.

About Spare Some for Autism
Spare Some for Autism seeks to improve the quality of life for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. We are dedicated to funding programs that will directly impact the individuals that suffer from ASD and allow them to achieve their highest level of independence within their home, school, and community, all while gaining respect and support for themselves.

Spare Some for Autism also seeks to support families affected by ASD by educating them on such topics as literacy and coping with disabilities so that families will be better prepared to support each other. Spare some time… spare some love… spare some hope.  For more information, visit www.sparesomeforautism.org.