By Ryan LaFontaine, The Sun Herald, Biloxi, Miss.
Jul. 14–D’IBERVILLE — Pouring rain and howling winds did not keep about 300 people from an autism awareness event at the Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church in D’Iberville on Sunday.
Thirty-five vendors showed up for the day to help raise money for autism programs.
“This is actually a part of the three-day fundraising event. Today is more like a fun day for kids. The guest speaker, Steve McNair, a Mississippi native who recently retired from the Baltimore Ravens, partnered up with his cousin Dr. Alfred McNair to help raise money and awareness for people with autism,” said Don Weatherell, executive director for the Steve McNair Foundation.
“This event is to show people the effect autism has on young kids. The purpose is to lend support and awareness to the disease (programs),” said Steve McNair. The Steve McNair Foundation was founded in 2001 to assist charitable causes for at-risk youth.
“I spent this last weekend at USM in Hattiesburg at two football camps where around 1,000 kids attended this camp. We have been conducting football camps for 10 years in Mississippi,” said Steve McNair.
At the camps, the kids are taught about the fundamentals of football and life skills. Guest speakers spoke about gang awareness, drugs and staying out of trouble. The kids receive a free T-shirt and autographed pictures of Steve McNair.
“We have been very successful, particularly in Harrison County, in providing training and reinforcing throughout the year for teachers in order for them to better handle and teach children with autism. It is important to identify children with autism at the age of 3 or 4 in order to maximize what treatment can be done healthwise,” said Dr. Alfred McNair, 56, chairman and founder of Mississippi Centers for Autism and Related Developmental Disabilities.
Various local businesses sponsored the event, including the IP Casino Resort and Spa, Gulf Coast Rehabilitation, WJZD Inc., Coast Cardiovascular Consultants, PLLC and Winn Dixie.
There were several activities available Sunday, including a colorful playground for the children. The Pony Patch brought a couple of goats, two rabbits, twin ponies and a couple of horses.
Karen Davdison-Travis, 48, owner of the Pony Patch, said she wanted to bring the animals for the kids to enjoy.
“We travel for special events like this one,” she said.
A Celebrity Golf Tournament for Autism will be today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Shell Landing in Gautier. On Tuesday, the Black Tip Shark Fishing Tournament will take place from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Competitors can sign up for the tournament at the Isle of Capri Marina. Show time is at 7 a.m. and the event takes place until 2 p.m. Various fees apply.
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