“It’s in the Cards” gala hits a home run for autism!
The ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel in St. Louis was buzzing with excitement as more than 500 people gathered to support autism awareness, research and treatment during the 5th Annual “It’s in the Cards” fundraiser and gala on Thursday, April 30, 2010. Dressed to impress, attendees spent much of the evening enjoying good food, pursuing silent auction items and seeking autographs from the St. Louis Cardinals baseball players who were in attendance.
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| Bill Thompson with Tony Larussa and a drawing made by Thomas Jackson, 7, of Columbia |
The evening was highlighted by a variety of special events. Bill Thompson, founder of the Thompson Foundation for Autism, kicked off the after-dinner program by introducing St. Louis Cardinals baseball manager Tony LaRussa and several Cardinals players and coaches. Following these introductions, Thompson surprised LaRussa with a framed drawing by seven-year-old Thomas Jackson. Jackson has autism and receives services through the Thompson Center. The drawing, titled “Thomas Hits the Ball”, was created in pencil and pastel chalk and was given to LaRussa as a thank you for his annual participation in the gala and fundraiser. LaRussa smiled as he received the drawing and shared it with those at his table.
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| Dr. Gay Tompkins |
Recognition of this year’s Gala Honoree, Dr. Gay Tompkins, included the presentation of an award to Dr. Tompkins for her service to the Thompson Foundation. Dr. Tompkins, a life-long educator, former public school superintendent and a passionate advocate for improving the lives of children with autism, accepted the award. The main focus of Dr. Tompkins’ acceptance speech was the release of the “Autism Spectrum Disorders: Missouri Best Practice Guidelines for Screening, Diagnosis and Assessment” recently published by the Thompson Foundation for Autism, the Missouri Division of Developmental Disabilities and the Missouri Department of Mental Health.
As the evening came to a close, Bill Thompson invited Hope and Sam McPheeters to the stage. Their five-year-old daughter, Ella, is on the autism spectrum and receives services through the Thompson Center’s Intervention Services program. After thanking the McPheeters for their presence at the evening’s event, Thompson introduced a video featuring Hope and Ella. In the video Hope speaks about Ella’s developmental delays, receiving a diagnosis of autism and the help that her daughter has received through the Thompson Center.
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| Dan and Alesia Kelly |
Following the video Dan and Alesia Kelley took the podium and spoke about their experiences with having a daughter with autism.
"This is why we are here.” said Thompson as the Kelleys left the stage, “To help the families of children with autism find hope and help.”
Money from the event will benefit the Thompson Foundation for Autism, the MU Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Howard Park Center and St. John’s Mercy Child Development Center.
