Music concert raises money for local autism chapter (12-19-07)
Dr. Lipke, Misty Espinoza, and Dr. Jackson
The Adams State College Chamber Orchestra and Valley Community Chorus winter concert, on December 2, raised over $800 in charitable donations for the Autism Society of America San Luis Valley Chapter.
Misty Espinoza, president of the local chapter, said the donation is appreciated. "We have so few resources available to us in the valley," she said. "We are really thankful to everyone who was so generous to our cause."
According the Autism Society of America website, autism-society, "Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills."
The local chapter started as a support group for parents of children with autism. "We are finalizing the paperwork to become a chapter," Espinoza said. "The money donated is a big step for us to complete the last details."
Dr. Chris Jackson, Adams State assistant professor of music, is the director of the Valley Community Chorus, and Dr. William Lipke, chair of the music department, conducts the chamber orchestra. According to Jackson he approached members of the choir and Lipke about raising money for the autism society.
"Dr. Lipke and the members of the choir were very receptive to the idea of raising money for the local autism chapter," Jackson said. "The cause was really well received by the audience. They were very generous with donations at the door and buying concessions sold during intermission."
The concessions proceeds went directly to the autism chapter and the door donations were split between the chapter and the Adams State Music Department. "I want to thank Dr. Lipke and the orchestra for joining us and helping greatly with the success of the concert and the fundraiser," Jackson said.
Lipke said he was pleased to help the autism chapter. "This is a very worthy cause, which promises to be great help to children and their families," he said.
The San Luis Valley Autism Chapter meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of every month in the Alamosa Board of Cooperative Educational Services Office (BOCES). For more information contact Espinoza at 719-274-0188 or 719-480-2008.
On the Web...
By Linda Relyea
