March 28, 2008
Rendering of the shirts on sale for the April 5 whiteout.
April is Autism Awareness month and the Waterloo Black Hawks along with Next Generation Wireless are hosting an Autism Awareness White Out when they play arch-rival Cedar Rapids on April 5 at Young Arena.
This is the final regular season home game for the Black Hawks as they prepare to enter the USHL playoffs. All fans are encouraged to wear white to the game.
The Black Hawks will be selling special white out t-shirts with "Beat Cedar Rapids" on the front to raise money for AEA 267, a local agency that assists families with autistic children in every aspect of their lives, especially education.
"Early detection is the key to effective treatment of Autism," said Doug Miller, general manager of business operations for the Black Hawks. "It not only gives the child a head-start on dealing with the disorder, but it also allows families to receive advice and support to help them respond and adjust to the child's difficulties, making it easier for the child to progress."
Miller's 7-year-old son Chase was diagnosed with Autism when he was 3-years-old.
"The people of AEA 267 have been a true blessing to our entire family and to everyone in the Cedar Valley who has been touched by Autism. Chase has grown so much and is doing so well in school, and Heather and I have learned we can't measure what we have learned because of the great people there."
Autism is the fastest growing severe childhood disorder in the United States. Currently, 1 out of every 150 children born will be diagnosed on the Autism spectrum. More children will be diagnosed with Autism this year than Cancer, Diabetes and Aids combined. There is no cure for Autism and there is no known cause.
T-shirts for the event are $5 with the proceeds going to AEA 267. You can purchase your t-shirt in advance by calling the Black Hawks front office at 232-3444 or at any game leading up to the April 5th game.
