Anova’s Rock n’ Roll Gala for Autism a sold-out success raising $150,000 toward new Marin school

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. - May 15, 2014 - PRLog -- Thanks to a sold-out crowd of supporters at the Rock n’ Roll Gala for Autism, an unprecedented $150,000 was raised benefiting Anova’s CARE Campaign to build a new school in Marin County. The Gala took place on Friday, April 25^th in San Rafael, with 220 partyers dancing to Wonderbread 5 amongst classic cars to help kids with autism. The highlight of the evening was the program led by Master of Ceremonies the Honorable Willie L. Brown, Jr. and Honorary Committee Chair Congressman Jared Huffman. Mayor Brown and Congressman Huffman both entertained and inspired guests with humorous and heart-warming stories of how autism has touched their own lives.

Mayor Brown implored the crowd to “give till it feels good” during the Gala’s Fund-a-need and even made a $5,000 donation himself before promising a classic car to everyone who donated, drawing lots of laughter from the delighted audience.

With the lease of Anova’s current ACE Marin school ending next year, the CARE Campaign hopes to raise 10 million dollars to build a state-of-the-art autism school and treatment center. Anova is the first and only program of its kind in the Bay Area to provide specialized treatment for children on the autism spectrum with related social, emotional, and behavioral needs. With autism now affecting one in 68 children, the new school will enable Anova to triple the number of students they serve.  Proceeds from the Gala will go toward this endeavor and serve as a building block to make the new school a reality.

The Rock n’ Roll Gala for Autism’s success was due to the support and generosity of dedicated sponsors, in-kind donors, supporters, volunteers, and venue hosts. Silver Sponsors included Anova Board of Directors, Jamieson Ranch Vineyards, Barry and Marie Lipman, Steve and Patricia Mitsuoka, North Valley Bank, Redwood Trust Employee Fund, Rick and Sandra Wedge, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc, Foyt Family Wines, and Marin Independent Journal. Bronze Sponsors included Howard and Carol Berl, Fairway Design and Construction, Dave Hersh and April Parker Hersh, Stephen & Sandy Janachowski, Robert and Jane Kahan, Meisel & Krentsa Law, Michael Mitrani & Frannie Roche, Tom and Judy Shipsey, Mike and Connie Tiret, Vantreo Insurance, and VIP Reception Sponsor Korbel Champagne Cellars.

Anova is dedicated to improving the lives of those impacted by autism. The Rock n’ Roll Gala set into motion the CARE Campaign’s mission to provide a brighter future for ACE Marin and the students we serve. In order to continue to grow and support children in need, Anova needs the on-going help of the community to reach their 10 million dollar goal for a new campus. For more information on Anova and the CARE Campaign, please go to: www.anovaeducation.org or watch this short inspirational video produced by Joey Travolta’s Inclusion Films: http://youtu.be/H9eDQLt9Gww.



About Anova

Anova is a non-profit specializing in providing innovative educational and behavioral services to children with autism and related social, emotional and behavioral needs throughout Northern California. The Anova Center for Education is more than a school...it is a unique educational model. We provide each child the support to achieve his or her potential while receiving an incomparable education. Anova offers the highest quality of care, including behavior analysis assessment; clinical consultation and paraprofessional support within our 3 K-12 schools; the public school system; in-home services; speech and language assessment and therapy services; occupational therapy; early intervention services; transition programs; social cognition groups; intensive training, and more. For more information, please visit http://www.anovaeducation.org