Agreement pairs Targa, Autism Society in powerful partnership

An agreement between the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador and the annual Targa Newfoundland motorsports classic has created a powerful partnership that will raise funds and boost awareness of the overwhelming condition affecting children and adults across the province, the two organizations have announced.
The multi-year agreement will see the ASNL become the official charitable partner of Targa and the focus of the event's fund-raising efforts with competitors, fans, sponsors and the communities in the Targa family.
The ASNL will take over the spotlight at the demonstration stage around the Confederation Park facility in St. John's and assume the operation of the evening car shows in each of St. John's, Gander, Clarenville and Marystown. The agreement begins with the 9th Annual Targa Newfoundland event this September.
"We have given our support or lent our name to a host of different charitable causes over the years, but none has touched us - or the communities in the Targa family - more deeply than the issue of autism and the work of the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador," said Targa Newfoundland organizer Robert Giannou. "The urgent need to support those living with the disorder, and the centres of ASNL activity in the communities, is a good fit with Targa's ability to create the opportunity raise funds and build awareness. This a powerful partnership."
"Targa Newfoundland is an ideal vehicle to drive awareness for the ASNL and its work in the communities where we've established a presence," explains society executive director Trish Williams. "The route for the rally is tailor-made for our expanding programming, and will help extend the reach of our message, and our support, for families and communities dealing with autism. We are very pleased with the potential for long-term benefits we see in our relationship with Targa Newfoundland."
Fund-raising is also a key element in the new agreement, Williams adds. "Funds raised at the evening car shows in each of the rally's overnight stops will be used to support programming in that community," she says. "The community benefits when it supports Targa, and we hope Targa benefits from the support of the communities."
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological developmental disorder that affects development and functioning of the brain. Individuals with ASD may not display any visible signs of the affliction but they see, hear and sense things differently, affecting their ability to reason, to communicate and to interact with others. The rapid increase in diagnosis of autism in Newfoundland and Labrador is a growing concern, with the incidence being approximately 1 in 132.
An event to kick-off the new partnership will be staged on Thursday, December 17, 2009, at the Elaine Dobbin Centre for Autism, 70 Clinch Crescent in St. John's. The event begins at noon and will host society members, media and guests from the world of government and business.
Elaine Dobbin is the patron of the society. Well known throughout Canada for her efforts on behalf of worthy causes in Newfoundland and Labrador, Dobbin was recently recognized as Philanthropist of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter.
The Elaine Dobbin Centre for Autism at Shamrock Farm brings together many resources, strategies and skills to improve life for people with ASD, and provides services across Newfoundland and Labrador. There is a plan in place to pilot programs from the Centre to the various Chapters of ASNL and communities throughout the province. In October of 2007, the organization's first satellite office opened in Grand Falls-Windsor. In 2009, an office opened in Clarenville and plans are ongoing for a Corner Brook office to open in 2010