March 30, 2011
St. John's University will join countless organizations
throughout the world who will 'Light it up Blue' for Autism
awareness this week. The D'Angelo Center and St. Thomas More
Church on the Queens campus of St. John's will join buildings
around the world that will shine bright blue on April 1 to help
kickoff Autism Awareness Month.
St. John's will host several education and support events,
beginning on Wednesday, March 30.
• Light it Up Blue Fun Run
March 30 – 2:30 p.m./Carnesecca Arena
STJ student-athletes will place blue bows and puzzle pieces around
campus
• Light it Up Blue Commuter Breakfast
Thursday, March 31 – 8 a.m./D'Angelo Center
Information session and viewing of Temple Grandin (an HBO film
about a young women’s perseverance while struggling with the
challenges of autism – when the disease was relatively unknown)
• Light it Up Blue with PS 177
Thursday, March 31 – 11 a.m./D'Angelo Center
The School of Education will sponsor Funtime Sessions, where
education majors will engage with students from PS 177 in arts and
crafts, story time, coloring, snack time, and a special light it up
blue egg hunt
• Light it Up Blue Fun Soccer Clinic
Thursday, March 31 – 5 p.m./Great Lawn
St. John’s Red Storm Women’s Soccer Team will host a fun soccer
clinic
• Inside of Their World: Candlelight Vigil of Hope
Thursday, March 31 – 8 p.m./D'Angelo Center
The University community will gather in prayer and hope.
Mothers of Autistic children will share stories
• Light it Up Blue Sibling Event
Friday, April 1 – 1 p.m.
A group for brothers and sisters of people with disabilities, who
can meet with others who understand what is means to be the sibling
of a person with a disability
The Second Annual Light it Up Blue campaign was launched by
Autism Speaks, North America's largest autism science and advocacy
organization, to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day and help
raise funds and awareness of autism as a growing public health
crisis. Autism Speaks founders Bob and Suzanne Wright spoke at the
2010 Commencement exercises at St. John’s University and were
presented Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degrees for their
leadership and tireless effort in advocating for those with
autism.
For media inquiries, please contact Elizabeth Reilly, Associate
Director of Media Relations at St. John's, by calling (718)
990-5789, or by e-mail to reillye@stjohns.edu.