Southwest Florida Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations

(Naples, Fla. – August 26, 2010) – The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce Council of Hispanic Business Professionals has selected Eden Autism Services Florida to benefit from its second annual Gala Hispanos Unidos, to be held September 25 at the Naples Beach Club.

Attendees enjoy the 2009 Gala Hispanos Unidos.

The annual event was conceived as a way for the council to generate awareness in the community and raise money for several scholarships given to Latino students involved in the Youth Leadership Collier program. Scholarships will also be awarded this year, but funds will also be raised for Eden.

“Our main focus this year is on awareness,” says event organizer Maria Ramos. “We want our organization to be known for volunteering for the good of our whole community, so supporting a non-profit through this event was a natural fit. When our board was discussing organizations to sponsor, Eden was the hands down choice because there aren’t a lot of externally-supported fundraisers for them.

“We want people to know there is an organization that helps children and adults in the community, all they have to offer and that they want to expand.”

“We were honored to be selected as the first charity to benefit from this event,” says Eden Florida executive director Susan Suarez. “We especially appreciate the opportunity to be recognized alongside some very promising students from the community, chosen not only for academic accomplishments but also for their character and leadership. We seek to instill the same things in our students.”

The formal event will include appetizers, dinner, dancing, a cash bar and live band. Donations are also being collected for a raffle. Tickets cost $75 per person and can be purchased through the group’s website, www.chbpnaples.org, or via mail.

Two students, Maritza Payan of Lorenzo Walker Technical High School and Rosana Sandoval of Golden Gate High School, will also be presented with scholarships. Sterling Rodriguez, a junior at Palmetto Ridge High School, will also be presented with the Talento Latino Award for his invitation design for this year’s event.

For more information about Gala Hispanos Unidos, visit www.chbpnaples.org or call 239-220-5995.

About Eden Autism Services

Eden Autism Services was founded in New Jersey in 1975 with a mission to improve the lives of children and adults with autism and their families by providing a range of community-based services to meet specific needs throughout the lifespan. In 1996, Eden Autism Services Florida was founded to address the state’s growing need for specialized services for children and adults with autism and their families. Eden Autism Services Florida’s services range from comprehensive outreach, including program consultations and early intervention, to 12-month education for school age students and residential and employment services for adults. For more information, contact Susan Suarez at 239-992-4680, extension 201 or Eden.florida@edenservices.org.

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(Naples, Fla. – August 23, 2010) – Eden Autism Services Florida, a division of New Jersey non-profit Eden Autism Services, is opening a school for children with autism in Fort Myers this 2010-11 school year. Eden accepts the McKay scholarship offered through the state of Florida and the deadline to apply is September 1, for enrollment in October.  Eden is readying the Fort Myers school to begin instruction here in several weeks.  In the interim, students will be transported to the Eden Naples school campus. 

Eden currently operates a school in Naples for children ages Pre-K through 22, as well as programs for adults with autism with facilities and group homes in Naples, Fort Myers and Cape Coral.

 “We’re very excited to have expanded our school to Fort Myers and have worked hard getting ready for the school year,” says Susan Suarez, Eden Florida’s executive director. “While we’ve signed up several students, we also want parents of children with autism to know that our schools are approved for the McKay scholarship, which helps cover tuition costs. We don’t want financial concerns to hold students back.”

Eden offers a low student to teacher ratio and teachers trained the nationally-renowned Eden curriculum which is based on the principals of Applied Behavior Analysis.

Parents interested in getting information about the new school or enrolling children should contact Suarez at 239-992-4680, extension 201. Information on the McKay scholarship can be found at www.floridaschoolchoice.org. 

About Eden Autism Services

Eden Autism Services Florida was founded to address the state’s growing need for specialized services for children and adults with autism and their families. Eden Autism Services Florida’s services range from comprehensive outreach, including program consultations and early intervention, to 12-month education for school age students and residential and employment services for adults. For more information, contact Taire Malloy at 239-992-4680, extension 206 or Eden.florida@edenservices.org.

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(Naples, Fla. – August 5, 2010) – Students, parents and special guests gathered at Eden Autism Services’ Eimerman Education Center on June 8 to celebrate student achievement. One student, 18-year-old Hannah Kandel of Naples, received her certificate of completion for her general studies, and 14 other students received awards for scholastic and character accomplishment s.

Eden Autism Services CEO Dr. Tom McCool presents Hannah Kandel with her certificate of completion

“The idea for our honors ceremony came from Hannah’s family, which wanted to do something special to mark her achievement,” said Eden Florida executive director Susan Suarez. “We thought it was also a great opportunity to honor or other students, too, for their accomplishments and it grew from there.”

In addition to Kandel’s certificate of completion, Suarez handed out 16 other awards, recognizing students’ ability in traditional subjects like math, reading and history, and character traits like attitude, helpfulness and friendship. Students also showcased their theatric talents by performing a skit and Kandel performed a song she wrote. Suarez and Eden Autism Services President and CEO Dr. Tom McCool were featured speakers.

Pictures of all students and others from the ceremony can be viewed on Eden’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/edenautismservicesflorida.

About Eden Autism Services

Eden Autism Services was founded in New Jersey in 1975 with a mission to improve the lives of children and adults with autism and their families by providing a range of community-based services to meet specific needs throughout the lifespan. In 1996, Eden Autism Services Florida was founded to address the state’s growing need for specialized services for children and adults with autism and their families. Eden Autism Services Florida’s services range from comprehensive outreach, including program consultations and early intervention, to 12-month education for school age students and residential and employment services for adults. For more information, contact Taire Malloy at 239-992-4680, extension 207 or Eden.florida@edenservices.org.

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(Naples, Fla. – July 8, 2010) –  Eden Autism Services Florida, the Naples-based division of New Jersey non-profit Eden Autism Services, is planning a school for children with autism in Fort Myers. It currently operates a school in Naples, and adult programs with facilities and group homes in Naples, Fort Myers and Cape Coral.

Susan Suarez, Eden Florida’s executive director, said the decision to open the new school was made to serve Fort Myers families closer to home.

“We currently have students from Fort Myers attending our school in Naples and we’ve been receiving more inquiries from parents in Lee County,” Suarez says. “We are evaluating locations and are optimistic we will find a centrally located facility in Fort Myers to serve Lee County, and possibly families from Charlotte County.”

Eden Florida’s Eimerman Education Center in Naples and its Fort Myers Adult Day Training Facility at McBride Center will not be impacted by the opening of the new school. These programs will remain in their current locations.

Eden Florida is exploring locations in Fort Myers in order to open the Fort Myers school in time for the 2010 – 2011 school year. Parents interested in getting information or enrolling children should contact 239-992-4680, extension 201.

About Eden Autism Services

Eden Autism Services Florida was founded to address the state’s growing need for specialized services for children and adults with autism and their families. Eden Autism Services Florida’s services range from comprehensive outreach, including program consultations and early intervention, to 12-month education for school age students and residential and employment services for adults. For more information, contact Taire Malloy at 239-992-4680, extension 206 or Eden.florida@edenservices.org.

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Eden Florida looking to open a new school in Fort Myers?

Based on the number of Fort Myers students with autism currently attending Eden Florida’s school in Naples, and the number of inquiries Eden Florida has received from interested parents over the past months, the organization determined there were enough students with autism in Fort Myers to merit opening a second school. Locating the school in Fort Myers will be more convenient for both current and prospective students’ parents.

Where will Eden Florida’s new school be located?

The organization is evaluating several sites in central Fort Myers.

How many students will the school accept?

Eden’s student to teacher ratio ranges from 1:1 to 6:1.  Eden can staff up to the level of need in the community.

How many schools does Eden Florida operate?

When the Fort Myers school opens, there will be two Eden-operated schools in Southwest Florida and one school in Princeton, New Jersey.

What is unique to Eden’s curriculum?

The primary difference between Eden Florida schools and other area schools is that it is a private school where the student to teacher ratio ranges from 1:1 to 6:1. This enables teachers to tailor their curriculum and teaching pace to meet the students’ needs and abilities.

What other services does Eden offer?

Eden Florida offers pre-kindergarten through grade 12 instruction for children and adults between the ages of 4 – 22; early intervention for children ages 3 and younger; clinical services for all ages; four adult residential programs; and employment services.

Why is Eden Florida able to expand its services at a time when other autism schools and organizations are closing?

Eden Florida has strong financial support from its parent organization, New Jersey non-profit Eden Autism Services, local organizations and generous private citizens in Southwest Florida.  And, many families are eligible for The McKay Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program.  The school benefits from several fundraising events per year, such as the Naples Invitational ArtFest and Eden Presents concert series. Many of its parents, board members and supporters also organize other fundraising events. Eden Florida has been fortunate to maintain the funding needed for its services, despite the current economic climate.

Eden Autism Services Florida, Autism Speaks benefited from proceeds of wine dinner at Estero restaurant

Janet Nesius, Elly Hagen and Vanessa Thorrington pose for a picture at the Grillroom event.

(Naples, Fla. – June 29, 2010)

– A benefit wine dinner held at The Grill Room Chophouse and Wine Bar at Coconut Point in Estero on June 24 raised $5,000 for Eden Autism Services Florida  and the Southwest Florida chapter of Autism Speaks. In addition to a full wine dinner, the event featured a silent auction and raffles.

 “The event raised even more than we hoped and we couldn’t be more pleased,” says Grill Room manager Meghan Madden. “The event was really a win all around – we got to show off our most popular wines, attendees got a great dinner and chance to bid on exclusive auction items, and Eden and Autism Speaks – the biggest winners of all – will get significant donations.”

Betty Bireley and Julia East were among the many that came out to support autism on June 24.

“We’re grateful to the Grillroom staff for proposing and hosting a fun evening and fundraiser,” says Eden Florida executive director Susan Suarez. “Hopefully this is only the first of many and we can partner with them again.”

About Eden Autism Services

Eden Autism Services was founded in New Jersey in 1975 with a mission to improve the lives of children and adults with autism and their families by providing a range of community-based services to meet specific needs throughout the lifespan. In 1996, Eden Autism Services Florida was founded to address the state’s growing need for specialized services for children and adults with autism and their families. Eden Autism Services Florida’s services range from comprehensive outreach, including program consultations and early intervention, to 12-month education for school age students and residential and employment services for adults. For more information, contact Taire Malloy at 239-992-4680, extension 206 or Eden.florida@edenservices.org. 

About Autism Speaks

Gina Birch bids on auction items.

Autism Speaks is the world’s largest autism science and advocacy organization. Since its inception in 2005, Autism Speaks has made enormous strides, committing over $142.5 million to research through 2014 and developing innovative new resources for families. The organization is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.

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Joe Madden, Katy Hagen Hannon, and Steve and Janet Nesius enjoy the wine and each other’s company.Kathy Kinsey and Heather Shedd at the Grillroom.

Eden Autism Services Florida school improvement project selected as one of 39 to receive grant from Trinity by the Cove Episcopal Church’s Grant Commission

(Naples, Fla. – June 29, 2010) –  Naples non-profit Eden Autism Services Florida received a $5,000 donation from Trinity by the Cove Episcopal Church’s Grant Commission earlier this year to purchase umbrellas for the outdoor play area at the school it operates for children with autism. Eden Florida was one of 39 Collier non-profits to share in the commission’s $140,000 worth of donations.

Thanks to Trinity by the Cove, umbrellas like this one keep students cool on Eden Autism Service’s Eimerman Education Center playground.

“We are very thankful for the church’s support,” said Eden Florida executive director Susan Suarez. “The umbrellas provide much needed shade on the playground, making play time more comfortable for our students.” This is the first time Eden Florida has received a grant from Trinity by the Cove in its grant commission’s 30-year history. 

Commission chair Marilyn Tiburski said the grants are awarded to Collier County 501(c) 3 charities for improvements, equipment or special aids. Grants cannot be used to cover normal operating expenses and funds must remain in Collier County.

“The application process consists of both a written form and interview,” Tiburski says. “We make decisions based on the merits of each organization’s presentation, how well they are organized and execute their missions, as well as how they collaborate with other charitable agencies in the county. Eden Florida’s presentation was excellent.” Members of the commission also visited the school for a tour and discussion on the children it serves and its program with one of Eden Florida’s teachers.

About Eden Autism Services

Eden Autism Services Florida was founded to address the state’s growing need for specialized services for children and adults with autism and their families. Eden Autism Services Florida’s services range from comprehensive outreach, including program consultations and early intervention, to 12-month education for school age students and residential and employment services for adults. For more information, contact Taire Malloy at 239-992-4680, extension 206 or Eden.florida@edenservices.org.

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Eden students pause for pictures on Main Street U.S.A. and around the Magic Kingdom during their trip to Walt Disney World.

(Naples, Fla. – June 24, 2010) –

Seven students enrolled in Eden Autism Services Florida’s school for children with autism enjoyed a day at Walt Disney World and night at a resort hotel this month, thanks to money they raised themselves.

Eden student Hannah Kandel holds a sign to attract customers to the class’s cookie jar booth at the Naples Invitational Artfest.

Eden teacher Staci Thompson found instructions to make “cookie jars” – glass jars containing all of the dry ingredients needed to whip up a batch of homemade cookies – online last fall and thought it would make a fun class project. She also thought it would make a great fundraiser for the holidays.

“There are some things typical children do to raise money that children with autism can’t do. Measuring the ingredients for the jars, attaching a recipe with ribbon – these were all things our students could do,” Thompson says. “We sold them for $10 apiece during the holidays and they sold so well that we made 50 more to sell at the Naples Invitational Artfest in January, which benefits Eden.”

All totaled, the class made almost $1,000. With a little extra help from one parent, it was enough to pay for park tickets and hotel accommodations for all seven students and three teachers chaperoning the trip. The students selected to use the money for the trip.

“For many of them, this will be their first night away from home without their parents. They’re very excited,” Thompson says. “It’s been very beneficial for the students to be part of the whole enterprising process from making the product to selling it and exchanging money. They worked hard and may be willing to work even harder in the future because they are seeing the fruits of their labor.” Thompson says she may help the students make cookie jars, or another craft to sell, each year due to the success of this year’s sales.

About Eden Autism Services

Eden Autism Services Florida was founded to address the state’s growing need for specialized services for children and adults with autism and their families. Eden Autism Services Florida’s services range from comprehensive outreach, including program consultations and early intervention, to 12-month education for school age students and residential and employment services for adults. For more information, contact Taire Malloy at 239-992-4680, extension 206 or Eden.florida@edenservices.org.

Raquel Torres is a development specialist for Eden Autism Services Florida.

Raquel Torres joined Eden Autism Services Florida as a development specialist this month. In this role, she will assist with managing and coordinating the organization’s special events and fundraising efforts, contact database and records control, helping the organization continue its important work serving children and adults with autism.

Originally from Lorain, Ohio, Torres moved to Southwest Florida in 1999.  She has previously worked as a Business Development Manager for a well-known performance based marketing company.  She pursued and negotiated distribution partnerships through the creation of financial and marketing models.  She also worked as a Land Acquisitions and Sales Manager for a post-secondary education company, where she gained experience coordinating investor relations and contributed to the event planning and production process.  She also served as the Director of Public Relations for a commercial real estate brokerage firm based in Fort Myers.

About Eden Autism Services

Eden Autism Services Florida was founded to address the state’s growing need for specialized services for children and adults with autism and their families. Eden Autism Services Florida’s services range from comprehensive outreach, including program consultations and early intervention, to 12-month education for school age students and residential and employment services for adults. For more information, contact Taire Malloy at 239-992-4680, extension 206 or Eden.florida@edenservices.org.

(Naples, Fla. – June 9, 2010) – Naples-based rock band 2nd Nature will play a benefit concert for Eden Autism Services Florida at the Blue Monkey Bar & Grille at 7 p.m. on June 17.

Fans can enjoy a fun, casual evening with music by the three-piece party band, live art, an auction, and buy tickets for a 50/50 raffle. All donations collected at the door and through the auction and raffle will benefit Eden’s “Garden at Eden” project. The garden is a mini enterprise which gives Eden students and volunteers the opportunity to grow organic produce to enjoy and to be sold to local restaurants.

“The garden is such a great project,” says concert organizer and Eden parent Patti Byers. “It benefits students not just from a learning standpoint, but from a nutritional standpoint as well.”

“This is the first fundraising concert we’ve done specifically to support the garden and we wanted to make it a nice, casual evening in a centrally located place. Blue Monkey was the perfect choice.”

2nd Nature was suggested by Blue Monkey staff. Though they’ve only been together as a group for around 11 months, band members Curt Smythe and Darren Byers have a long history of playing live music in Naples – Curt with groups like Crossfire and the Lords of Cool and Darren in other groups. Both like danceable, guitar-based music and play several instruments, so when they met at one of Blue Monkey’s open mic nights last year, the connection was instantaneous. Smythe describes their sound as danceable south rock with a reggae twist and says they play original, reggae and rock tunes. At larger events, drummer Zar accompanies them.

A $10 donation for admission will be collected at the door. Blue Monkey is located at 7550 Mission Hills Drive in Naples at the corner of Vanderbilt Beach Road and 951 (Collier Boulevard) in the Sweet Bay plaza.

About Eden Autism Services

Eden Autism Services was founded in New Jersey in 1975 with a mission to improve the lives of children and adults with autism and their families by providing a range of community-based services to meet specific needs throughout the lifespan. In 1996, Eden Autism Services Florida was founded to address the state’s growing need for specialized services for children and adults with autism and their families. Eden Autism Services Florida’s services range from comprehensive outreach, including program consultations and early intervention, to 12-month education for school age students and residential and employment services for adults. For more information, contact Taire Malloy at 239-992-4680, extension 206 or Eden.florida@edenservices.org.

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(Naples, Fla. – June 1, 2010) – The Grill Room Chophouse and Wine Bar at Coconut Point in Estero will host a wine dinner, complete with hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and raffles to benefit Eden Autism Services Florida  and the Southwest Florida chapter of Autism Speaks on June 24.

 “Hosting the dinner was an easy decision,” says Grill Room manager Meghan Madden. “We wanted to do something fun and give people a reason to come out in the summer and participate in a nice event. I’m a regular fundraiser for Autism Speaks, so the cause immediately came to mind.”

The hors d’oeuvres course, featuring Domaine St. Michelle Brut Sparkling Wine, will begin at 6:30 p.m. The silent auction and raffles will also open at that time. Dinner begins at 7 p.m. and has several menu choices to please a variety of palates:

Clos du Bois Reserve Chardonnay

Baked Grouper with toasted almonds and limoncello cream

Micro greens with onions, orange segments, Tarragon oil

Clos du Bois Reserve Merlot

Roast Cornish hens stuffed with pork and prunes

Butternut squash and cranberry sauce

Clos du Bois Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Tenderloin Au Poivre, Dijon brandy cream

Endive and radicchio salad, balsamic vinaigrette

“The Clos Du Bois wines are some of the most recognizable on our list and they have been an excellent partner for other events we have done this year,” Madden says. “The Reserve wines are excellent, and the dishes we’ll be serving were selected to complement them.”

Silent auction items are also being collected to suit a variety of tastes. Highlights of the offerings include:

• Two round trip tickets anywhere in the U.S., courtesy of Southwest Airlines
• Getaway to North Captiva including two nights and three days at the Point House, lunch at Barnacle Phil’s and transportation via Island Girl Charters
• Coconut Point getaway including one night’s stay at the Hyatt Place plus shopping and dining gift certificates
• Four tickets to see Shinedown at Germain Arena on July 21.

Tickets must be purchased in advance and cost $60 per person. For information or to purchase tickets, contact Elly Hagen at 239-994-3927 or hagenmem@gmail.com.

About Eden Autism Services

Eden Autism Services was founded in New Jersey in 1975 with a mission to improve the lives of children and adults with autism and their families by providing a range of community-based services to meet specific needs throughout the lifespan. In 1996, Eden Autism Services Florida was founded to address the state’s growing need for specialized services for children and adults with autism and their families. Eden Autism Services Florida’s services range from comprehensive outreach, including program consultations and early intervention, to 12-month education for school age students and residential and employment services for adults. For more information, contact Taire Malloy at 239-992-4680, extension 206 or Eden.florida@edenservices.org.

About Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is the world’s largest autism science and advocacy organization. Since its inception in 2005, Autism Speaks has made enormous strides, committing over $142.5 million to research through 2014 and developing innovative new resources for families. The organization is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.

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