Over three years ago, I began sending a weekly “SUN News” article to people around the world who are working to promote social understanding. These articles have focused on autism spectrum disorders (ASD), social understanding, teaching, parenting, sensory integration, adolescence, Social Stories™ and other resources, new ways of viewing our parenting and teaching, and more. Many of you have written to express appreciation for these articles, and have shared your stories and your questions so that I have had an opportunity to learn from you, also. Your inspiration and encouragement have helped me send out over 160 weekly articles to date. Thank you!
Many of you have purchased books, DVDs, posters, and/or CDs from The Gray Center’s online bookstore, or participated in our workshops, conferences, groups, networks, and coaching services. The money you spend on Gray Center resources helps us to provide these valuable opportunities. Thank you!
By participating in the areas listed above, you have indicated that you need the information that The Gray Center provides. Through accessing our web site, calling or emailing our staff, or attending an event, you receive necessary—and hopefully valuable—information and support.
I’m writing today to ask you to do one more thing—“just because!” It’s something you can do to help The Gray Center and the people we serve. It’s an opportunity to impact the lives of individuals and families around the world.
I’m asking you to make a donation, in any amount you are able, “just because!”
Your “just because” may differ from that of another person reading this today. Perhaps you can identify with one or more of the following:
Maybe you are willing to give a donation “just because…”
- You have a child, sibling, parent, grandchild, friend, employee or student with autism—or you have been diagnosed with ASD or believe that you may be on the spectrum
- You have been receiving and benefiting from The SUN News—a resource which The Gray Center provides for free–for up to three years
- You have received assistance from a Gray Center staff member or from our web site
- You share in The Gray Center’s mission of promoting social understanding
- You are willing to give up a latte, dinner in a restaurant, or new purchase so that The Gray Center can use your gift to provide services to a family who is out of work and unable to access necessary resources and/or struggling with a new diagnosis or strategies for improving social effectiveness
- You care about The Gray Center’s ability to continue to provide these services, and recognize that in this difficult economy, we can’t do it without you
I know there are many wonderful organizations vying for your financial contributions, especially at this time of year. You likely encounter daily opportunities to spend your hard-earned money. We are honored that you continue to support The Gray Center with your time and your participation, but hope you’ll take a moment to give a financial gift, whether it’s $5, $25, $100, or $500… “just because!”
Thank you for supporting The Gray Center!
Laurel Falvo, Executive Director
The Gray Center for Social Learning and Understanding
You can give quickly and securely online at www.thegraycenter.org, or send a check to:
The Gray Center, 100 Pine St., Suite 121, Zeeland, MI 49464
Note that all donations are tax-deductible (in the US) and will be acknowledged with a letter/receipt.
(Please note that we will not be using the postal service to send a letter requesting donations. We are using our financial resources to meet people’s needs, rather than paying for paper and postage.)
If you shop online, please use www.iGive.com/graycenter as your gateway to surfing and shopping. The Gray Center receives donations from thousands of online merchants when you visit their sites and make purchases. (Installing the iGive toolbar on your browser is a great way to ensure that donations will be tracked and credited to The Gray Center).
ONE MORE NOTE: All Social Story™ resources are on SALE through tomorrow evening at www.thegraycenter.org as our way of saying “thanks” for your support!
This week many of us living in the USA will take a break to give thanks over the Thanksgiving holiday. Kids and school staff will be thankful for a break from school, as will all the others who get a welcome holiday from their work. Families will give thanks for the loved ones gathered around their table, as well as those who are far away.
At The Gray Center we are thankful for many things:
We give thanks for each one of you, and all that you are doing to promote social understanding and to support the Gray Center!
As a way of expressing our thanks to everyone on our new mailing list, this week we are giving $10 off your orders of $50 or more! (Haven’t yet subscribed? Email info@thegraycenter.org for more information).
Happy Thanksgiving, from all of us at The Gray Center, to all of you!
Laurel Falvo, Executive Director
The Gray Center for Social Learning and Understanding
(Please note that our office will be closed Thursday and Friday to enable our staff and volunteers to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with our families. We will, however, be open on Saturday, November 28 from 9:30-11:00 a.m. if you’d like to stop in to peruse our library and bookstore.)
Do you have a “green thumb?” That term refers to someone who knows how to grow plants and help them flourish. Some people have either studied plant care, or just seem to know how to position the plants, water and feed them, and pinch off dead growth to encourage new growth. Plants under their care are healthy and productive.
The Gray Center needs some “green thumbs” to help our organization continue to grow! We’ve just celebrated ten years of service to the local and global communities. People around the world have benefitted from our services, resources, and web site at www.thegraycenter.org. We’re excited about the plans we have for the future, including a new web site which will be unveiled shortly, some new resources including a new Social Story book by Carol Gray, and new services such as social coaching and consulting. We continue to hear that we’re making a difference as we provide information and support to those who are working to promote social understanding with individuals with autism spectrum disorders. But we can’t do it without your help!
As you support The Gray Center with your tax-deductible donations, you can “grow” the following resources:
- “ASD to Z” is a booklet published by The Gray Center in 2005. The Gray Center has distributed more than 14,000 copies, many given free to families new to the diagnosis. Your gift of $5 enables us to mail one copy to someone who needs it. A gift of $1000 will enable us to publish a second companion resource, which will provide more in-depth information and support to parents, grandparents, siblings, professionals, and individuals with ASD.
- Young Adult Network: We have just added a second location for our young adult network. We have a fabulous group of over 20 people with ASD, ages 16 and older, who participate regularly. Many feel that they have nowhere else to receive this type of social interaction and instruction. Your gift of $100 enables one young adult to attend meetings and social events for a year, to form friendships, and to learn and practice valuable social skills. A gift of $3600 will enable The Gray Center to lease additional space for the next year, to provide a special place (with games, technology, and comfortable seating) for the young adults to gather on a regular basis.
- Social Coaching and Consulting: Many people need one-on-one assistance to get “unstuck” as they parent a child with ASD, or work to interact more effectively with others. Although The Gray Center has priced these sessions to simply cover our expenses, the economy has made it difficult for some to access this valuable service. Your gift of $100 will provide four months of on-going individual support for someone who desperately needs it.
- Our web site at www.thegraycenter.org is going to be redone this weekend, thanks to the generous support of GiveCamp and dedicated volunteers. Your financial contributions will allow us to make additional changes in the upcoming months to ensure that this resource can provide you with the information you need in order to continue to promote social understanding in your area of the world.
We’re excited about the growth The Gray Center has experienced during our first ten years of service to the local and global communities. We know that with your continued support, we will grow and flourish in the months and years ahead. Please consider making an online donation at www.thegraycenter.org, or mailing a check to The Gray Center, 100 Pine Street Suite 121, Zeeland, MI 49464.
Your holiday on-line shopping can also benefit The Gray Center at no additional expense to you by logging on through www.iGive.com/graycenter before you shop. And as always, your purchases at www.thegraycenter.org provide the necessary revenue for The Gray Center to continue to be a source of information and support around the world. Thank you!
Laurel Falvo, Executive Director
The Gray Center for Social Learning and Understanding
P.S. We hope you’ll join us for tonight’s “Proactive Parenting” meeting at The Gray Center in Zeeland (7:00-8:30 p.m.). Go to www.thegraycenter.org for more information.
