Autism Speaks Brings Star Power and Bobbleheads to Autism Fundraising
Friday August 17, 2007
Autism Speaks was founded and is run by Bob and Suzanne Wright. Bob, who used to run NBC, has brought together some of America's top stars to raise money for autism. Last spring, it was Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Cosby. Last week, it was the stars of Desperate Housewives!
On Saturday, August 11th, stars of ABC's "Desperate Housewives" attended "James Denton Bobblehead Night" at Goodwin Field, in Fullerton, Calif, where fans received Bobblehead dolls with the actor's likeness. The event, organized by the James Denton fan club, took place at an Orange County Flyers (a minor league baseball team in Southern California) game, and raised over $9,000 for Autism Speaks. More than $8,000 was raised in ticket sales, and Downey Savings presented a $1,000 check to Autism Speaks' Event Manager Anna Heimbuch.To be honest, I'm just a tiny bit uncomfortable with the idea that bobbleheads are being distributed in the name of autism... But on the other hand, no one but the Wrights could bring together so many Hollywood names in the cause of autism research. It's nice to see them bring their expertise forward - and, of course, it's nice to see Hollywood stars involved in good work.
Who do you think the Wrights should tap next for autism fundraising? Given their strong connections and powers of persuasion, I'm hoping for Brad Pitt!
Comments
I would like to see the Wrights organize a concert event that would benefit autism. Many rockers participated earlier this year is a TV PSA about autism. It would be huge to bring KISS, Motley Crue, Robert Plant, and Van Halen together to truly “rock” Autism. I’d be there.
The Wrights should resign from Autism Speaks. They have done more damage in dividing the autism community than bringing it together. Now that Bob Wright has been fired from NBC, he has nothing better to do than infuriate parents of children.
ANY event that draws focus on autism research and awareness is greatly appreciated.
I would hope that some celebrity families that are ‘in the closet’ about their child’s diagnosis will eventually join us. Putting a celebrity name on a cause generates interest and revenue.
Whatever one’s belief about environment vs. genetics, Bob Wright has put autism on the map. Fired? I don’t think so.
We all get so emotional about this issue, we the parents, grandparents, families of autistic kids; anger and frustration run high. Is anyone out there to hurt or infuriate purposefully?
I don’t think this is the case.
what do you have to do so you can become a child developamental pediatrician?? how much of shool do u have to do? what classes do i need to take??
I don’t always agree with everything Autism Speaks does, but awareness is awareness and it can only come of good things. Autism Speaks are the ones that put autism on the forefront, to our TV’s. (Mr. Wright retired, was not fired)
the divide in the autism community started long before the Wright’s grandchild was born, and will continue as long as those do not remain
open-minded~
more power to the Wright’s and all their great efforts, bobbleheads and all.
I had the same first reaction about the bobbleheads…the idea made me a little uncomfortable. I also feel bad that the Wright family drama had to happen in order to attract the attention of the general public to the cause of autism. However, I have to fall into the category of those people who believe any publicity is good publicity. Atleast more people are talking about autism. I haven’t seen any of the PSA’s on TV, yet, though. It seems there are many diseases and conditions, with drugs to go along with them, which are brilliantly marketed. Autism doesn’t have a drug or one single treatment that we can all rally around. Yes, it’s disgusting that the big drug companies are filthy rich but, are any of us immune from chuckling at “Smiling Bob” and his erectile dysfunction???
We, the families with autistic members, deserve a good chuckle now and then….if a bobblehead can do that, I’m for it.
I mean, geez, my autism puzzle-ribbon magnet keeps falling off the back of my minivan when I go through the car wash….maybe I should put a bobblehead on my dash instead…
Rock on, Brian!
I am 100 percent for the artists you mentioned. I also agree that any awareness brought about for Autism can only do good.
The consensus in my online groups is that the 700 Aspies who reside there are deeply offended by Autism Speaks and their view of autism. Autism Speaks does not speak for them.
It is too bad that celebrities have no idea that Autism Speaks is not an honest organization created to help people with autism. No one I know has ever seen or been on the receiving end of what money AS has raised. Most celebrities and people who do not know the real agenda behind AS feel they are doing good for people with autism by donating money and participating in these things… Sorry, but I also do not feel any awareness is better than none. – the wrong kind of awareness is more damaging than no awareness. I think the fact that they can get celebrities misleads the publics trust. I believe AS is a big scam.
It appears the view of Autism Speaks is clearly mixxed. As some have mentioned, being someone with autism and having a father with Asperger’s disorder (and possibly Alzheimer’s), there is no help that we can access in our state that applies to us. With the $40 million in donations for 2005, according to Erica Giunta and $33 million in 2006, I hear rather consistantly from single mothers, parents, organizations (like Goodwill and Easterseals) and humanitarians that individual families with their unique needs are not being met. They just need a little help. They don’t need millions of dollars. They just need a boost to move beyond just wishing they could provide the special therapy, teaching or other specific stimulus that will work best for their child. That is why I started my own fund from nothing, literally. I’m not a big ex-corporate TV studio head, but, I am working on a grassroots effort to help the little guy. We are forgotten quite a bit and what I feel needs to happen is that we support ourselves. Those millions of dollars and attention do not get to us. I intend on changing that. This is my wish and I will not die without making an impact. I have Asperger’s Syndrome and that is my promise.