News from HEAL

HEAL founders Leslie and Bobby Weed reflect on 10 years of supporting northeast Florida's Autism community.

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January 2015

In this issue:

Message from Leslie & Bobby Weed, HEAL Founders
DEAL for HEAL Celebrity Poker Tournament
Save the Date: HEAL Zoo Walk for Autism
Upcoming Events in Northeast Florida

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Message from Leslie & Bobby Weed, HEAL Founders

HEAL - 10 Years in Retrospect

Our daughter Lanier, now 16, was the inspiration for establishing the HEAL Foundation. In 2004 Autism rates were 1 in 166; today rates are roughly 1 in 50. Autism has now become an epidemic among our youngest generation. As the numbers increase exponentially, the critical needs for assistance in our community expands greatly.

HEAL has served the Northeast Florida area in a multitude of capacities. Since its inception, HEAL has given $1.2 million awarding over 85 grants to local organizations. Grants awarded include community outreach, parent support groups, after school programs, summer camps, iHEAL - iPad donations to schools, and Autism service dogs. Families now are relocating to Jacksonville because of the role HEAL has played in serving and galvanizing the Autism community.

Special thanks to The PLAYERS Championship, PGA TOUR and TPC Sawgrass who had faith in us and selected HEAL into the “Adopt-A-Charity” Program in 2007. This program is what gave us the jumpstart necessary to get our small grassroots charity off the ground. Thanks also to our Board of Directors, Executive Director Scottie May, and the hundreds of donors, volunteers and participants who are vital to our serving those who struggle daily with Autism.

Lastly, it has been our greatest honor to get on a personal level with so many families in the Autism community. We have discovered, parents of special needs children are of the highest caliber, with strong fortitude, who are selfless and giving. Parents are the warriors and their children are the heroes. We salute you.

DEAL for HEAL Celebrity Poker Tournament

Thursday, February 19

Come join HEAL and the Young Lawyers Section of the Jacksonville Bar at the DEAL for HEAL Celebrity Poker Tournament! Mark your calendar for Thursday, February 19 at bestbet on Monument Road in Jacksonville.

We will have local celebrity players serving as "bounties" in the tournament. When you knock out a celebrity from the poker tournament, you win a donated prize! Some of our celebrities include Melissa Ross, host of WCJT's First Coast Connect, the Honorable John Delaney, President of University of North Florida, Hank Coxe, Past President of the Florida Bar, Megha Parekh, General Counsel of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and more.

Beginners welcome! Poker lessons and cocktails from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM; tournament concludes at 8:45 PM. Proceeds benefit the HEAL Foundation, and stay in Northeast Florida through grants to Autism programs, camps and schools!

Click here for more information, or make a reservation.

Save the Date: HEAL Zoo Walk for Autism

Take a walk on the wild side! April is Autism Awareness Month, and we invite you to join hundreds of families for the HEAL First Coast Zoo Walk for Autism. The Zoo Walk will be held at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens on Sunday, April 26 starting at 8:30 AM. Registration will open at 7:30 AM.

Over 1,400 walkers participated in last year’s HEAL Zoo Walk. It was a beautiful day, filled with sunshine, happiness and smiles. The walk brought in more than $60,000, directly benefiting Autism programs, camps and schools across the First Coast area.

Join us at the HEAL After Party on the Great Lawn with bouncy houses, face painting, music and more. Children 12 and under can attend free again this year. Ages 13 and up are $15 per person. This includes entry to the zoo for the entire day.
The top three fundraising teams will win a prize and can designate a school, camp or program to receive funds from HEAL. Prizes will be awarded to the top three fundraisers. The selected organization or school must fall under the HEAL grant guidelines directly helping those with Autism in our community.

HEAL is also accepting applications for vendor tables to advertise or sell items which will be set up at the HEAL After Party on the Great Lawn.

HEAL Foundation is always looking for ways to make the Zoo Walk a better experience for individuals with Autism and their families. Email us your comments or suggestions!

Registration will open soon!

Upcoming Events in Northeast Florida

DATE	EVENT
Ongoing	Social Skills and Support Groups - Dr. Maria Tapia, Licensed Psychologist with the UF/Jacksonville's CARD Program, runs several support groups for adolescents and adults with Asperger's syndrome, as well as for the siblings and mothers. If you are interested in joining any of these groups or gathering additional information, such as date, time and ages, please contact Dr. Tapia at maria.tapia@jax.ufl.edu or 904-633-4330.
January 31	Celebrate Children - A fun event devoted to children and families with special needs. Events include educational sessions, resource fair, kidzkorner activities, appearances by Jaxon DeVille & the Jacksonville Jaguar ROAR, and a presentation on healthy foods and snacks. There will be a helmet giveaway for all children attending. Event runs from 1-4:30 pm at Brooks Family YMCA, 10423 Centurion Parkway North, Jacksonville. For more info please contact Brooks.SpecialEvents@brooksrehab.org.
February 5	Parent Support Group Meeting at Keystone Behavioral Pediatrics. Monthly meeting with different topics each month. Join Keystone at their offices at 6867 Southpoint Drive North, Suite 101 from 6:00 to 7:00 PM. Visit them at keystonebehavioral.com.
February 9	College Bound - Presenter Kelli Bloom M.Ed. talks about Hope Academy - Project Search, a business-led, one-year, high school transition program serving young adults with special needs. This program is for those that would benefit from a training program providing employability skills. Presentation is from 4:30 - 6:00 PM at CARD. Attendees must be CARD constituents and RSVP to Anne Wilson at 633-0764.
February 9	Two Feet Forward - Presenter Kelli Bloom M.Ed. talks about FAAST - Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology. This is a non-profit organization that provides Floridians of all ages with access to assistive technology. Attendees will learn about the services available and how assistive technology can be used by and for people with disabilities. Presentation is 6:00 - 7:30 PM at CARD. Attendees must be CARD constiuents and RSVP to Anne Wilson at 904-633-0764 or anne.wilson@jax.ufl.edu.
February 13	Night To Shine - 2nd Annual Special Needs Prom at Christ's Church Mandarin. This prom is for anyone 13 and older with developmental or physical impairments. Each participant paired with a buddy. Great opportunity to get dressed up and have a limo ride and walk a red carpet and get free portraits! Sign up now to attend OR volunteer. Visit NightToShineJax.com. Please spread the word about this great event!
February 14	Bowling Buddies - Join Inclusion Solution at Beach Bowl on Beach Boulevard for 4 lanes of fun! Educators and therapists are on hand to facilitate social interaction. This is a great activity for children and teens with Autism, and the parents enjoy connecting with other families. Meet Mary and her team at 12:30 PM. Register in advance by emailing inclusionsolution@gmail.com.
January 24	Sensory Friendly Films: Spongebob Square Pants: Sponge Out Of Water - AMC & ASA are bringing families an opportunity to go to the movies in a safe accepting environment on a monthly basis. Lights are brought up, sound is turned down, and families may bring their own snacks. Movies are shown at the AMC Regency 24 at the Regency Center Square. All viewings are held at 10 AM. Click here for more information.
February 19	Deal for HEAL Charity Poker Tournament - Join the Young Lawyers Section of the Jacksonville Bar Association at their fundraiser to benefit HEAL from 5:00-9:00 PM at bestbet Jacksonville on Monument Road. Register online at www.HealAutismNow.org. Beginners welcome!
February 26	Tools for Success Family Conference Save the date and plan to join HEAL at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens! Email us with suggestions at events@healautismnow.org. See you all for another fun filled day at the zoo!
March 5	Parent Support Group Meeting at Keystone Behavioral Pediatrics. Monthly meeting with different topics each month. Join Keystone at their offices at 6867 Southpoint Drive North, Suite 101 from 6:00 to 7:00 PM. Visit them at keystonebehavioral.com.
March 5-6	Teaching Language to Children with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities - 2 day free workshop at UNF's University Center, 12000 Alumni Drive, Jacksonville. Participants will gain a greater awareness of Behavior Analysis as a Science of Learning. A focus will be on utilizing B.F. Skinner's analysis of Verbal Behavior to assist in the acquisition of language skills for children with developmental disabilities. Participants will also receive training on effective teaching procedures and building instructional control. You must register by February 27 to Cassandra Tuohy at (904) 744-5110 or jerichoschool@yahoo.com.
March 11	Seventh Annual Autism Symposium will take place at the University of Florida Unversity Center. Speakers include Bryan H King, MD, MDB, and Raphael Bernier, Ph.D. More information coming soon.
March 14	Bowling Buddies - Join Inclusion Solution at Beach Bowl on Beach Boulevard for 4 lanes of fun! Educators and therapists are on hand to facilitate social interaction. This is a great activity for children and teens with Autism, and the parents enjoy connecting with other families. Meet Mary and her team at 12:30 PM. Register in advance by emailing inclusionsolution@gmail.com.
March 20-22	Deliver the Dream - Retreat weekend providing structured family centered activities offering respite, relaxation and recreation for families with children on the Autism Spectrum. Located at Camp Weed in Live Oak, Florida, this weekend is at NO expense to the family. Click here for more information or email autumn.mauch@jax.ufl.edu.
March 28	Peer to Pier Fishing - Fishing off the Jacksonville Beach Pier. Great activity for children and teens with Autism, and for parents to connect. To register, contact Mary Erickson-Verdi at inclusionsolution@gmail.com or 904-994-1005.
March 28	Sensory Friendly Films: Home - AMC & ASA are bringing families an opportunity to go to the movies in a safe accepting environment on a monthly basis. Lights are brought up, sound is turned down, and families may bring their own snacks. Movies are shown at the AMC Regency 24 at the Regency Center Square. All viewings are held at 10 AM. Click here for more information.
April 2	Parent Support Group Meeting at Keystone Behavioral Pediatrics. Monthly meeting with different topics each month. Join Keystone at their offices at 6867 Southpoint Drive North, Suite 101 from 6:00 to 7:00 PM. Visit them at keystonebehavioral.com.
April 11	Bowling Buddies - Join Inclusion Solution at Beach Bowl on Beach Boulevard for 4 lanes of fun! Educators and therapists are on hand to facilitate social interaction. This is a great activity for children and teens with Autism, and the parents enjoy connecting with other families. Meet Mary and her team at 12:30 PM. Register in advance by emailing inclusionsolution@gmail.com.
April 18	Sensory Friendly Films: Underdogs - AMC & ASA are bringing families an opportunity to go to the movies in a safe accepting environment on a monthly basis. Lights are brought up, sound is turned down, and families may bring their own snacks. Movies are shown at the AMC Regency 24 at the Regency Center Square. All viewings are held at 10 AM. Click here for more information.
April 25	Peer to Pier Fishing - Fishing off the Jacksonville Beach Pier. Great activity for children and teens with Autism, and for parents to connect. To register, contact Mary Erickson-Verdi at inclusionsolution@gmail.com or 904-994-1005.
April 25	Flavor Run Jacksonville - Taste the Flavor! Bring the family out for this fun 5K and 1-mile fun run at Nocatee. Register here.
April 26	HEAL Zoo Walk For Autism! Save the date and plan to join HEAL at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens! Email us with suggestions to make 2015 the best Zoo Walk ever at events@healautismnow.org. See you all for another fun filled day at the zoo!
May 7	Parent Support Group Meeting at Keystone Behavioral Pediatrics. Monthly meeting with different topics each month. Join Keystone at their offices at 6867 Southpoint Drive North, Suite 101 from 6:00 to 7:00 PM. Visit them at keystonebehavioral.com.
May 9	Bowling Buddies - Join Inclusion Solution at Beach Bowl on Beach Boulevard for 4 lanes of fun! Educators and therapists are on hand to facilitate social interaction. This is a great activity for children and teens with Autism, and the parents enjoy connecting with other families. Meet Mary and her team at 12:30 PM. Register in advance by emailing inclusionsolution@gmail.com.
May 23	Peer to Pier Fishing - Fishing off the Jacksonville Beach Pier. Great activity for children and teens with Autism, and for parents to connect. To register, contact Mary Erickson-Verdi at inclusionsolution@gmail.com or 904-994-1005.
June 13	Bowling Buddies - Join Inclusion Solution at Beach Bowl on Beach Boulevard for 4 lanes of fun! Educators and therapists are on hand to facilitate social interaction. This is a great activity for children and teens with Autism, and the parents enjoy connecting with other families. Meet Mary and her team at 12:30 PM. Register in advance by emailing inclusionsolution@gmail.com.
June 27	Peer to Pier Fishing - Fishing off the Jacksonville Beach Pier. Great activity for children and teens with Autism, and for parents to connect. To register, contact Mary Erickson-Verdi at inclusionsolution@gmail.com or 904-994-1005.
June 27	Sensory Friendly Films: Inside Out - AMC & ASA are bringing families an opportunity to go to the movies in a safe accepting environment on a monthly basis. Lights are brought up, sound is turned down, and families may bring their own snacks. Movies are shown at the AMC Regency 24 at the Regency Center Square. All viewings are held at 10 AM. Click here for more information.
July 18	Sensory Friendly Films: Minions - AMC & ASA are bringing families an opportunity to go to the movies in a safe accepting environment on a monthly basis. Lights are brought up, sound is turned down, and families may bring their own snacks. Movies are shown at the AMC Regency 24 at the Regency Center Square. All viewings are held at 10 AM. Click here for more information.
September 7	The Great Ponte Vedra Paddle! Join us for the 4th Annual Great Ponte Vedra Paddle benefiting HEAL. Stand Up Paddle board races, and an "Anything that Floats" Challenge make this fun for the whole family. See you at Mickler's Landing.
September 26	Sensory Friendly Films: Hotel Transylvania - AMC & ASA are bringing families an opportunity to go to the movies in a safe accepting environment on a monthly basis. Lights are brought up, sound is turned down, and families may bring their own snacks. Movies are shown at the AMC Regency 24 at the Regency Center Square. All viewings are held at 10 AM. Click here for more information.
October 17	Sensory Friendly Films: The Jungle Book - AMC & ASA are bringing families an opportunity to go to the movies in a safe accepting environment on a monthly basis. Lights are brought up, sound is turned down, and families may bring their own snacks. Movies are shown at the AMC Regency 24 at the Regency Center Square. All viewings are held at 10 AM. Click here for more information.
November 14	Sensory Friendly Films: The Peanuts Movie - AMC & ASA are bringing families an opportunity to go to the movies in a safe accepting environment on a monthly basis. Lights are brought up, sound is turned down, and families may bring their own snacks. Movies are shown at the AMC Regency 24 at the Regency Center Square. All viewings are held at 10 AM. Click here for more information.
December 5	Sensory Friendly Films: The Good Dinosaur - AMC & ASA are bringing families an opportunity to go to the movies in a safe accepting environment on a monthly basis. Lights are brought up, sound is turned down, and families may bring their own snacks. Movies are shown at the AMC Regency 24 at the Regency Center Square. All viewings are held at 10 AM. Click here for more information.