Four schools receive funding from ‘Awesomeness of Autism’ fundraiser

Four schools in Idaho Falls received a check to fund special needs programs from donations collected by Idaho Falls community members.

Back in April, Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation worked with
stores, restaurants, and businesses in downtown Idaho Falls to raise money for the “Awesomeness of Autism'” fundraiser.

The IFDDC has organized the fundraiser for seven years.

Each year, they raise a little more money than the last.

This year they raised over $2,100.

All proceeds go to Idaho Fall School District 91 and Bonneville Joint School District 93.

Monday they presented four schools with checks of $537 to donate to the schools’ autism programs; Hillcrest High School, Discovery Elementary School, Hawthorne Elementary School, and Ethel Boyes Elementary School.

Educators who work in the special needs classrooms say the funding to their programs is very important to the children.

Manny Sanchez, special education teacher at Ethel Boyes Elementary School said, “These children who are in the stepping stones program they have some unique needs where they can do well in the general education classroom but they need a few extra supports that other students don’t normally need.”

The IFDDC started the fundraiser to help local schools that may not have the budget to fund the proper tools needed for these children.

Catherine Smith, executive director of the IFDDC said, “A lot of times we found in years past, schools would purchase therapy items that help provide the kids with comfort. They have provided new learning tools for like specific books that they need. It’s been a really wonderful experience to be able to provide additional funding to these teachers that work so hard.”

Ethel Boyes Elementary School plans to use the money on special tools that will help advance the school’s sensory room.

Teachers, staff members, and students are grateful for the community’s support.

Samantha Schearer, special education teacher at Ethel Boyes Elementary School, said, “It’s a nice gift that we are receiving. Our kids are in different situation and circumstances that really have some challenging needs. To have a community that is so supportive is really beneficial to our kids in the program.”

The”Awesomeness of Autism” fundraiser will start again next year.

The IFDDC hope to raise even more money in 2020 so that they can help other schools in the area.