The Town of New Castle will be participating in Light It Up Blue day on April 2, 2016.
Every year on April 2, the United Nations celebrates its international “Light It Up Blue” campaign to raise awareness of autism. People from around the world join together in support of Autism Awareness Month by lighting up their communities or wearing blue. Thousands of iconic landmarks, skyscrapers, schools, businesses and homes across the globe unite by shining bright blue lights in honor of the millions of individuals and families affected by autism.
According to Autism Speaks, the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, Autism is one of the fastest-growing developmental disorders in the U.S. Autism now affects 1 in 68 children and 1 in 42 boys.
The Town of New Castle is helping raise awareness about the growing public health concern by lighting the gazebo up blue light. There will also be blue ribbons throughout downtown Chappaqua & Millwood. The Town of New Castle recognizes that youth with special needs and their families have unique needs that are not easily addressed. The Town of New Castle is committed to inclusion and providing opportunities for recreation and enrichment that improves the quality of life to residents of all abilities. The Town of New Castle recently created the Exceptional People of New Castle to support the needs of residents with special needs. Besides sport programs, the committee would focus on organized recreational, educational, social and skill building activities, and also raise general awareness about the needs and rights of persons with disabilities. The committee would also work to provide educational, employment & theatrical opportunities.
New Castle Town Supervisor Rob Greenstein stated “On April 2nd we are asking residents and building owners to do their part in raising awareness to shine a much-needed light on autism and its impacts. Our lives are all touched in one way or another by the growing epidemic of Autism. Our community is honored to join those across the world to Light It Up Blue. There are many families working hard to provide the best life for their children, while at the same time being tireless advocates for their children. I want to thank New Castle resident Danielle Abrosh Gootzeit for bringing Light It Up Blue to New Castle.”.
Danielle Abrosh Gootzeit stated “As a mother of a child with Autism, I wanted to bring Light It Up Blue to my community. The response from New Castle Supervisor Rob Greenstein, residents and merchants has been overwhelming and quite touching. I am so proud to live in such a caring community. When a community supports people with Autism it makes a world of difference in their lives. Our local merchants are so incredibly supportive and generous. I can’t thank them enough”.
Chappaqua Hardware will be selling discounted blue lights, and donating $1 for every light bulb sold. They are also donate 5% of all Weber Grill and Big Green Egg sales on April 2nd if customers wear blue
Hip Kids will be selling blue shirts, and taking part in the wear blue discount program.
Whispering Pines of Chappaqua will donate 5% of our sales that day. They will also be selling all blue flower bouquets to help promote Autism awareness that day.
Breeze will design a blue window for the day and donate 10% of all sales that day to Autism Speaks.
Petticoat Lane will be donating 10% of sales that day to Autism Speaks and have all my items clothes, bags, wallets in blue on 20% off.
Squires Family Clothing & Footwear will donate $25 for each Blue Blazer sold on that day.
Lange’s will be selling blue bagels
Eye Gallery will donate 5% of its total sales on April 2nd. Also I’m putting aside about 80-100 blue optical and sunglass frames for the month. They will be 20% off(frame only) and we will donate 20% of sales of any sold for the month.
King’s Scribe will have blue balloons
Scattered Books is having a sale through April 2nd which will culminate on 4/2 with the NY Yankees Chaplain in the store and an outdoor blue book display. 10% donated to Autism Speaks
Sherry B. will change our purple velvet cupcakes to blue velvet. They will also donate $1 from the sale of every blue velvet cupcake on that day to Autism Speaks.
Desires By Mikolay will be selling Blue Garden NEST candles and diffusers, a portion of the proceeds is donated to Autism Speaks
Sarah Fleece Blankets will donate 15% to autism awareness on any blankets ordered that week.
Carolyn Cento, master hair colorist and keratin specialist, at King Street Salon will personally donate 20% of Saturday earnings to Autism Speaks.
Hall of Scoops is giving 10% of cookie monster flavored ice cream that day.
Matero Fine Jewelry will decorate their window with blue lights and they have designed a sterling bracelet and necklace for Autism. They will be selling these pieces on April 2nd and for each piece sold we will donate 50% of the sale of these pieces to Autism.
For more information contact Rob Greenstein – Rgreenstein@MyNewCastle.org
Danielle Abrosh Gootzeit – dsabrosh@juno.com
