Middletown >>Lake County families are invited to the inaugural Autism Stars of Lake County Fundraiser & Awareness Walk on April 10 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Middletown Mansion, 20650 S. Highway 29. Proceeds will be allocated to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder to attend local summer programs.
This is the second fundraiser for Autism in Lake County by Rani Patentreger, who has produced five similar events. Patentreger is the proud mother of Joshua, 11, who was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder when he was 4.
Autism Spectrum Disorder is an intellectual disability that affects social and some motor skills. In the U.S., one of 68 children are affected, with more than three million worldwide.
Rani Patentreger and her husband Avery Patentreger created the nonprofit Autism Stars of Lake County to assist families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder to afford summer programs. She thanks the community which has pulled together equine, golf, art and adventure camps for the children.
Registration for the Autism awareness walk begins at 1 p.m. At 2:15 p.m., Friends of Autism Stars of Lake County will show off designs for youth at the “Express Your Inner Minion” Fashion Show. The Autism awareness walk begins at 3 p.m. A raffle drawing will be held at 4 p.m. Raffle tickets should be purchased at the event.
Tickets cost $20 per person and include: Entry to the event and participation in the awareness walk, Choice of dessert and non-alcoholic beverage. Children 5 and younger are free.
To ensure a smooth registration process, participants are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance. Tickets can be purchased at Big Chill Frozen Yogurt (behind Hardester’s Market) in Hidden Valley Lake, 2 Women Traders in Middletown, or by calling (707) 349-6892.
There will also be vendors selling local crafts and products of interest to families. Vendors interested in selling should contact Tina Lewis at SpotlightOn999@gmail.com. If interested in donating to the raffle or to Autism Stars of Lake County, call or text Rani Patentreger at 415-509-1485 or email autismstarsoflakecounty@gmail.com.
