Actor Joe Mantegna and Friends Help ACT Today! Raise Thousands for Military Children with Autism

Sept. 4, 2012 - PRLog -- ACT Today! (Autism Care and Treatment Today!), a national non-profit organization whose mission is to provide care and treatment to children with autism, announces its 6th Annual Charity Golf Classic presented by Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) raised
$84,000. Net proceeds will benefit military children with autism. The tournament was held on August 27, 2012 at the North Ranch Country Club in Westlake Village, California. Actor Joe Mantegna (*”Criminal Minds”) hosted the tournament. Other celebrities in attendance included multiple award-winning singer/songwriter Brian McKnight, retired Major League Baseball 2-time All-Star pitcher and ACT Today! board member player Eddie Guardado, actors DB Sweeney ("The Closer"), Jason Gedrick (“Luck” and "Dexter"), Kevin Sorbo ("Hercules"), Robert Constanzo (“Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer”), and Geoff Pierson ("Boardwalk Empire").

“The generosity of the players and the corporate sponsors this year is making it possible for ACT Today! to see more children with autism gain access to therapy, medical care, assistance dogs, special needs camp, tuition for special needs school, social skills programs, assistive technology, and even safety equipment,” says ACT Today!’s Executive Director Nancy Alspaugh-Jackson.

Speakers Lieutenant Bryan Martinez, United States Navy and Petty Officer 3rd Class Joshua Strayhorn, United States Navy inspired the audience as they shared the personal challenges their families face raising children with autism while serving their country. They highlighted the positive impact their children experienced as a result of ACT Today!'s Autism Film Program for Military Children and received a standing ovation from the audience.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in every 88 children in America is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), making ASD more prevalent than juvenile diabetes, childhood cancer and pediatric AIDS combined.

The winners of the tournament, with First Place Low Gross were: Johnny Bruce, Josh Eveland, Dave Carmel, and Dan Spiegal.

Corporate sponsors of the 6th Annual Charity Golf Classic include: Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc. (CARD), TWIW Insurance Services LLC, Land Rover Thousand Oaks, Vista Automotive Group, Newport/Naples Rib Company, Nate ‘n Al, Retirement Benefits Group, Howard Building Corporation, Special Spirit Inc., Swett & Crawford, Black Hill Farms & Family Vineyard, The Kuperstock Family, Kirsch, Kohn, & Bridge, LLP, The Tom Heymann Family, J & D Financial, Orion Risk Management Insurance Services, Inc., Calabasas Dental Care, Logix, Silver Star Automotive Group, Wild Sales Co., JTB Insurance Services, LLC, Lavaggio Auto Detail, and Vitality Golf.

The 6th Annual Charity Golf Classic Committee Chairman is Josh Eveland of Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc. and committee members Tagg Baker of TWIW Insurance Services, LLC; Jonathan Bruce of JTB Insurance Services, LLC, David Carmel of J & D Financial, golfer Greg Goad, Cal Lutheran Student Shayne Romero, Dr. Michael Spagnoli of Trillium Sports Medicine, Justin Walker of FTF Properties, Darin Wassmann of Retirement Benefits Group, and ACT Today! Founder/President Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh.

For more information about ACT Today!’s 6th Annual Charity Golf Classic and to view the event photo gallery, visit www.act-today.org/golftournament.


About ACT Today!:
ACT Today! (Autism Care and Treatment Today!) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and providing treatment services and support to families of children with autism who cannot afford or access the necessary tools their children need to reach their full potential. For more information about ACT Today!, visit: www.act-today.org.