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Jaycees sending out message of hope

By Natasha Clark

Assistant Managing Editor





EAST LONGMEADOW In an unprecedented act of goodwill and fighting the autism epidemic, the East Longmeadow Jaycees are hosting one of their biggest fundraising efforts of the year.

This week over 5,000 homes will receive a mass-mailed package asking each resident to do their part in raising research funds for the neurobiological disorder that affects 1 in 150 persons. It is more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined.

Radcliffe and Gina Kension are known for their team "Radcliffe is the Reason and Arthur, Too!" Named for their two young sons living with the disorder, the family is passionate about raising funds and contributed over $21,000 to Walk Now for Autism in 2006. To raise funds for the 2007 walk, the Kenisons sent out their yearly reminders and walk requests, and approached the Jaycees as well, as they do every year.

Jaycees President Mark Langone said the Kenisons' story is moving. He said as soon as Radcliffe left after talking to the group this year, they immediately began to discuss what they could do to help and "took the project by the horns.

"We'd like to get the word out to East Longmeadow residents and we thought the best way would be a mass mailing," Langone said. "It's a four-page packet with general autism information, some facts and the Kenisons' story. Residents can make a donation to Autism Speaks."

A September article in The Reminder stated that though autism is the fastest growing disorder, it is the least funded. East Longmeadow is one of many school districts revising their early childhood education programs to meet the demands of autistic children.

Radcliffe could not be more pleased with the support the Jaycees are showing.

"It just shows that there are good people. To me, when I told people about this story ... these are men and women that are not family, they are not college friends or coworkers, these are a group of people that stepped up to the plate. You just don't see this anymore," Radcliffe said. "They are people I know and they went out of their way to help other people. They're rolling the dice and they really believe in East Longmeadow."

The Jaycees have been working on this for about two months. Last week, 30-40 volunteers stuffed over 5,000 envelopes in five hours to prepare for this week's mailing. Langone said he has made the Board of Selectmen and Police Chief Doug Mellis aware of the mailing in case residents had any fraud or legitimacy concerns.

One hundred percent of the proceeds will go directly to Autism Speaks. In 2006, Autism Speaks and the National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR) merged, creating the world's largest autism advocacy organization. Autism Speaks and Cure Autism Now (CAN) announced in November 2006 their intent to merge.

Anyone interested in making a donation can send checks or money orders made payable to Autism Speaks with "Radcliffe is the Reason and Arthur, Too!" on the memo line. Checks can be sent in care of the East Longmeadow Jaycees, P.O. Box 3, East Longmeadow, MA, 01028.

For more facts on autism and the Autism Speaks organization visit www.autismspeaks.org.