The Orange Effect Foundation Raises Funds and Awareness for Children With Speech Disorders

CLEVELAND - Dec. 15, 2021 - PRLog -- Thanks to the generosity of their dedicated supporters, The Orange Effect Foundation made a difference in children's lives this quarter by awarding $17,000 in grants to fund speech therapy and speech devices for those who would otherwise go without.

The grant awards come directly from annual fundraising efforts including Silence for Speech, held in November, which also raised awareness about the daily challenges faced by those with communication disorders. During the Silence for Speech fundraiser, participants refrained from verbal communication for 12 hours.

The experience raised funds but also empathy. As one young participant reflected, "I learned that we need to help and respect people who can't talk. Some people don't know the challenge that people who can't talk have to face every single day." Another Silence for Speech participant, Orange Effect Board Member Tom Leskovec, commented, "I sure do have a deeper respect for the families the Orange Effect serves; they do not have the luxury of having their child's speech magically returned after 12 hours, as I did."

The Orange Effect Foundation relies upon the generous assistance of a community of speech language therapists, donors, and friends to spread The Orange Effect. Upcoming fundraising events include the 100 Holes of Golf Marathon on May 16, 2022, and the 16th Annual Orange Effect Golf for Autism on August 1, 2022. Visit https://theorangeeffect.org/events/ to learn more.

With these most recent grants, The Orange Effect Foundation has now reached 284 kids in 34 states. These grants purchased 72 speech devices and provided more than 5,700 hours of speech therapy.

The Orange Effect Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, nationality, disability, or sexual orientation. Although grants are awarded based on financial need, the foundation does consider extenuating circumstances. In all cases, The Orange Effect Foundation prefers to be the funder of last resort, relying on corporate, community, and individual support to raise funds.

The next grant application deadline is February 1, 2022. For more information and to obtain a copy of the grant application visit theorangeeffect.org.

About The Orange Effect Foundation

The foundation, while officially formed in 2014, actually began back in 2001, when the founders' son was born with autism. Early intervention helped him to become a heartwarming and independent young man. The Pulizzi family wanted to give back by empowering other children with the therapy and tools they need to communicate effectively.