Eastside High School group to raise funds for UF center for autism

February 20, 2009

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Eastside High School’s Students Together for Autism Research, also called STAR, will host the 2nd Annual Autism Awareness 5K Walk-Run on Feb. 28.

All proceeds will go to the University of Florida Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, also known as CARD.

The event will begin at 9 a.m. at Westside Park. Registration will be available at 8 a.m. on site, but attendees are encouraged to register early at the University of Florida Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, 1405 NW 13th St..

Forms are available online at http://www.card.ufl.edu. The registration fee is $15 and includes a T-shirt.

Last year, STAR raised more than $6,000 for the center. More than 300 people attended, nearly double the number of attendees the group expected.

“They’re just amazing students,” said Catherine Zenko, the training coordinator for the UF Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, of the STAR volunteers.

The center provides those with autism and other developmental disorders and their families with a place for training, instruction and assistance. Staff members at the center can also offer literature on disorders and referrals for such services as therapy, doctors’ visits or support groups. The center does not directly provide therapy or health care.

This year STAR President Will London said the group is hoping for 500 attendees.