Living on the autism spectrum will be in the spotlight at this year’s Rednecks with a Cause gala.
On April 27, the community will come together to raise funds and awareness for autism.
“There are over 100 families in the Lakeland area that are affected by autism. Whether it be new small children, three-year-olds just starting play school, or adults. I have become very aware that there are many adults affected by autism in the Lakeland. We want to raise money and awareness for these people so we can get programming in to help with job placement for the adults, and to help with sensory rooms for the little kids in their schools,” expressed Kristy L’Hirondelle, treasurer for Rednecks with a Cause and organizer of the gala.
As someone who has a son with autism, L’Hirondelle knows first-hand just how vital these supports can be for those who need them.
“Sensory rooms are a room separate in the school where kids, now I can only speak on autistic children because I have one, they go to these rooms, for lack of a better term, to empty their bucket. Once their bucket gets so full, they can’t concentrate, they can’t sit, they need some sort of release,” she explained. “My son specifically can go for a walk or go to the sensory room and it takes two minutes now instead of… two years ago, it was talking half an hour to get that release, because he didn’t have the skill to figure it out himself. He needed help from other people, but now, he can go and within two minutes he’s back in the classroom learning and participating again.”
Sensory rooms aren’t only for those living on the spectrum, L’Hirondelle noted.
“Sensory rooms are definitely a must, and not just for kids with autism. I know other kids with ADHD and other special needs or diagnosis that people might not associate sensory issues with, but they absolutely need (those rooms).”
That’s why every year, the group hosts a gala featuring a catered meal, entertainment, and silent and live auctions.
L’Hirondelle said the organization generally donates 100 per cent of the proceeds to the cause.
“We try to stick mostly to Bonnyville because our group is from Bonnyville, and the close surrounding areas of Glendon, Ardmore… We’ve donated to the schools to either enhance their sensory room, or to create a sensory room, because some of the schools, to our disbelief, actually didn’t have a sensory room for the kids with special needs,” she added.
An addition to this year’s event is the sale of vehicle decals.
L’Hirondelle explained, “About a year ago, I purchased a silent auction item at our gala and there was an autism ribbon decal in it. As soon as I put it on my vehicle, I had probably 50 people message me wanting one. This year, we have those printed out and we’re going to be selling them.”
For the first time since starting the event six years ago, it will be hosted at Notre Dame High School.
According to L’Hirondelle, Rednecks with a Cause president Gary Mostert is out of the country, so the event, which is usually hosted the first weekend in April in conjunction with national Autism Awareness Day on April 2, was bumped to later in the month.
This meant their usual location of the Beaver River Fish and Game Building was unavailable.
However, the organization is looking forward to the move.
“It gives us just about double the space that we had, so we won’t be crowded, and we’ve added 10 tables,” L’Hirondelle emphasized, adding the gala will be held in the school gym.
As of last week, there were only five seats left, leaving the group wondering if they should be adding more tables to the occasion.
“Our original 30 tables we sold out in three weeks,” stated L’Hirondelle.
As someone who was born in a small town but didn’t move to Bonnyville until over a decade ago, L’Hirondelle is overwhelmed by the generosity of the community.
“I grew up in a small town, not Bonnyville… and 13 years ago we moved here. It was two years after that we started the diagnosis process with my son,” L’Hirondelle said. “This is the best place to live. I have never seen a more giving and kind community than this one.”
She continued, “Living in this community has shown me how people can actually be... Everybody comes together for this event, and it’s such a great cause, specifically for me, because it’s near and dear – it directly affects me.”
To purchase tickets for the event, which starts with cocktails at 5 p.m. on April 27 followed by dinner at 6 p.m., contact L’Hirondelle at 780-573-9242.
L’Hirondelle said, “I think this year could be the best year yet.”
