Six Weeks of Pure Awesome

March and April are hands down Good Friend, Inc.'s busiest months.  We're right in the thick of our two big annual fundraising events: the ongoing Highlight It Up Blue campaign, which this year involves four stylists and runs through April 23; and our Hoa Aloha Autism Awareness Bowling Event, coming up on this Sunday, April 13.

If you indicated you're "Attending" our Highlight It Up Blue Facebook event, you've seen some of the pictures.  We've doubled the number of schools participating in this year's campaign, and again have had to turn some away (sorry!) because so many communities are lining up to support autism awareness, acceptance, and empathy.  To date, here are the top five leaders and their gross receipts:

1. Rose Glen Elementary (Waukesha) - $985
2. Waukesha STEM Academy-Randall - $725
3. Park Lawn Elementary (Oconomowoc) - $600
4. Mukwonago High School - $520
5. Butler Middle School (Waukesha) - $470

Waukesha STEM Academy-Saratoga and Waukesha West High School also participated.  We'll be at Heyer Elementary (Waukesha), Edgerton Elementary (Hales Corners) and Waukesha South High School before it's all over.  THANK YOU for helping push us toward our goal of raising $7,000 to facilitate our staff and student trainings in elementary and middle schools!

How are you involved in this Sunday's BIG event at New Berlin Bowl?  We have some 200 bowlers registered on teams, plus more than a dozen volunteers and nearly 100 donors.  There are lots of opportunities for you to get in on the action!  Thursday is the last day to register or donate online.  If you show up on Sunday, we'll try to get you on a lane as they're available.  The morning (10:30 a.m.) start time should still have openings.  Even if you're not bowling, you won't be bored!  Check out some of our silent auction items:

two different "Beach Day" buckets, starting bid = $10

"Kids' Entertainment" basket, starting bid = $45

This is one of eight images in the framed 28" x 34" "Hearts" print, starting bid = $60

Green Bay Packers autographed football, starting bid = $100

pair of admission tickets, starting bid = $45

"Outdoor Fun" package, starting bid = $10

"Indoor Fun" package, starting bid = $20

And our raffle items include this stunning pair of diamond stud earrings from Diamond Nexus and a VIP game package for four from the Milwaukee Brewers!  Tickets are $5 for one or $20 for five.  Choose which prize container you want to put your tickets in.  Need not be present to win.  Drawing is at 3 p.m.

All of this goodness facilitates the good work of Good Friend: going in to schools, colleges, universities, and summer camps to lay the groundwork for positive, healthy social interactions between children with autism and their peers.  If you need more information on any of these RIGHT NOW opportunities, please contact chelsea@goodfriendinc.com, or call 414-510-0385.

HighLight It Up Blue, year 2!

Welcome to the 2nd annual Good Friend HighLight It Up Blue for Autism campaign!  Last year, well over 100 of you in the metro Milwaukee area visited Salon Brillaré in Pewaukee, or went to one of our on-location events in Waukesha, New Berlin, or Milwaukee, to get blue natural hair extensions, feathers, and/or sparkly tinsel strands to help create autism awareness.  This year, we've added two more stylists and locations!

Not only will Janet D'Amato be taking appointments at Salon Brillaré, but also Erin Hitt at Merle Norman Salon (Brookfield Square) and Gina Andrade of Hair by Gina (a Solo Salon, Waukesha)!  For $10, clients can choose one product, or pump it up or mix and match any three choices for $25 (per client).  New clients are welcome!  And they'll be at our Hoa Aloha Autism Awareness Bowling Event on April 14!  We're working on other on-location opportunities.  Stay tuned to our Facebook event page for more information.  Or if you'd like to get us in at your school or office, and you're sure at least 10 people would participate over the course of an hour or two, contact Chelsea (414-510-0385).

I know, I know -- it's extreme, right?  Blue hair?!  How the heck are you supposed to blend with blue hair?  That's kind of the point.  We don't want students with autism to feel like they have to blend.  They have an invisible disability with some very visible manifestations.  Be willing to stand out and stand up for them during National Autism Awareness Month!

But if blue hair is just too personal, what about blue light bulbs outside your house?  Check out Autism Speaks' Light It Up Blue campaign.  World Autism Awareness Day is April 2!  Blue it up!