Thursday, December 17, 2009

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM RAINBOWLAND AUTISM SERVICES


December is a great time to reflect on what has been achieved throughout the year.  On reflection, it has been an amazing year for us.  We find ourselves in a position that wasn't anticipated, but is not taken for granted.

Below is a summary of our achievements:
  • Establishment of a weekend family support group called ‘Rainbow Land Play Time’ where the whole family can relax and enjoy each other’s company in a supportive environment;
• More than 5,000 global members of our Facebook ‘Rainbow Day – Global Autism Awareness Campaign’ cause;
• More than 1,000 global members of our Rainbowland Autism Services Facebook Fan Page;
• Establishment of various online support groups for families living with autism and various professionals;
• Advocated on behalf of the Australian autism community through official meetings with the Prime Minister - Kevin Rudd, the Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services – Bill Shorten and various Government Departments.
• Published articles in hard print and global e-newsletters, including an article called ‘The Gifts of Autism’ published in the Proteus Leadership Centres’ proteuslife magazine in November 2009. We have also had various stories printed about our work in the local newspaper.
• Development of blogs: www.rainbowlandautismservices.blogspot.com & www.rainbowlandplaytime.blogspot.com
• Incorporated our organisation in November 2009;
• We officially launched our global autism awareness campaign through the development and email distribution of our ‘Autism Awareness Information Sheet’. The information sheet was written for us by co-author of the Australian Autism Handbook, Seana Smith. Our Autism Awareness Information Sheet has been distributed world-wide.

Everyone at Rainbowland Autism Services would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful and joyous 2010.

HAPPY RAINBOWS,
Allison Dix
Director


DONATIONS

On Friday 13th November 2009, the City of Tea Tree Gully Mayor, Miriam Smith, hosted the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast,which was organised and coordinated by Peter Lee and the Adelaide North Chapters.  Our family support group, Rainbow Land Play Time, was the lucky recipient of the morning's charity donation of $2,300.00.


On Monday 7th December, the newly formed Board of Rainbowland Autism Services Inc. were invited to attend The Proteus Leadership Centres' Leadership Breakfast in Adelaide.  The CEO, Des Penny, unexpectedly presented us with a $500 donation.


We are extremely grateful to both the Adelaide North Chapters and The Proteus Leadership Centres' for their generous donations.  The money will enable the Rainbowland familes to have some valuable and fun time together in a supportive environment during the summer school holidays.  A belated Christmas party is planned for the 10th January at the Greenwith Community Centre amongst other activities.

 Click here for the Proteus Leadership Centres' website