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Bucs cheerleader honorary chair of USF autism center's Fiesta by the Bay

Barbara Perkins

 

TAMPA, Fla. (March 22, 2006) – The Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) at the University of South Florida is hosting Fiesta by the Bay, April 28 at Gaspar’s Grotto in Ybor City to benefit special activities that support individuals with autism and related disabilities and their families. Dawnyale Foster, a four-year veteran, two-year captain of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleading squad and a speech and language pathologist, will serve as honorary chair.

CARD at USF is a community-based project that provides information and consultation to individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and related disabilities. CARD-USF offers instruction and coaching to families and professionals through training and assistance. CARD-USF is one of seven regional, university-based CARD centers in Florida.

“Having the support and contributions from concerned citizens through special events and family oriented activities like this allows CARD-USF to give back something extra to the communities we serve,” said Karen Berkman, director of CARD-USF.

CARD has planned several events in April during Autism Awareness Month. They include sending information and awareness packages to schools in the region, library media events, the first annual autism leadership award and trainings.

“Fiesta by the Bay will be a fun way for individuals and organizations to show their support as we work to spread awareness and continue our goal of optimizing the potential of people with autism and related disabilities,” said Berkman.

Gaspar’s Grotto is located at 1805 East 7th Ave. in Tampa. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance by calling Julie Sneed (813) 979-0133, Chandra Williams (941) 741-8794 or Dayna Nichols (727) 345-3714. Doors open at 5 p.m. and admission is $25 per person which covers music, finger food, one drink and chances to win prizes. Additional activities include salsa dancing and lessons for a suggested donation of $5.

The University of South Florida is on track to become one of the nation’s top 50 public research universities. USF received more than $287 million in research contracts and grants last year, and it is ranked by the National Science Foundation as one of the nation’s fastest growing universities in terms of federal research and development expenditures, and by the Carnegie Foundation as one of the 95 top universities nationwide in research activity. The university has a $1.1 billion annual budget and serves nearly 43,250 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota/Manatee and Lakeland. In 2005, USF entered the Big East athletic conference.

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