Toledo turns blue

Courtesy of Alpha Xi Delta

Alpha Xi Delta sorority sisters and guests lit up the UT Bell Tower blue on April 4 for austism awareness.

One in every 42 boys and one in every 189 girls — the Center for Disease Control and Prevention says that’s how many U.S. children have autism.

Since April is considered National Autism Awareness Month, the University of Toledo’s chapter of Alpha Xi Delta has been working to bring to light the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder.

“As a chapter, one of the key values that are instilled in us is service,” said Katie Smith, vice president of programs for Alpha Xi Delta and third-year communications major. “Many of our members have family members or friends who are affected by autism spectrum disorder.”

On Autism Awareness Day, April 2, the sorority hosted an event called the AmaXIng Race, which consisted of minute-to-win-it style challenges around campus where teams competed in a race to collect puzzle pieces and finish their puzzle.

All funds raised from their events will be donated to the Autism Speaks foundation, the national philanthropy of Alpha Xi Delta. Smith said that UT’s chapter also volunteers regularly at Sunshine Communities, a group home for those with disabilities, and Bittersweet Inc., an organization that aims “to positively impact the lives of individuals with autism and those whose lives they touch,” according to their website.

The Autism Speaks foundation serves as an autism advocacy organization that sponsors autism research and conducts awareness and outreach activities aimed at families, the government and the public.

The sorority also joined in a global event called Light It Up Blue. On April 4 at dusk, Alpha Xi Delta was joined by students and staff in an official lighting ceremony. During the entire month of April, the University of Toledo’s bell tower will be lit with blue lights.

UT will join in the tradition shared around the globe and hundreds of other iconic landmarks that will be lit up blue, such as the Empire State Building, the Citadel in Egypt and Forte Sangallo in Italy.

During the ceremony, sisters of Alpha Xi Delta gave testimonies of how autism spectrum disorder has personally affected them.

Jennifer Huffman, a sister of Alpha Xi Delta choked back tears as she talked about her younger brother who has autism.

“People with autism are just really misunderstood,” Huffman said. “The best part of being in ΑΞΔ [Alpha Xi Delta] for me is seeing what this chapter has done for people with autism.”

Kaeli Peer, another sorority sister, shared a testimonial of her experience teaching autistic children to swim.

“Before you say they have autism, you have to say they’re people and that’s how we should treat them,” Peer said.

Alpha Xi Delta will also be hosting their bi-annual philanthropy dinner, Fuzzie Funnelcakes, on April 8 to reach their goal of donation. Smith says their overall goal is to raise $3,000 by the end of the week.