Light it up Blue – Aspen

This year’s Light it up Blue – Aspen event was a huge success. The event benefits Ascendigo Autism Services and is presented in affiliation with leading autism science and advocacy organization Autism Speaks.

Light It Up Blue Aspen welcomed renowned alpine skier and Olympic Gold Medalist, Bode Miller as a special guest and he auctioned off an exclusive skiing experience with Bode on Valentine’s Day. The event took place at the Hotel Jerome and featured curated chef stations, handcrafted cocktails, fine wine, music and dancing, and live and silent auctions.  The evening’s entertainment featured the Monster Allstars, made up of some of rock n’ roll’s top musicians, including Lynyrd Skynyrd’s keyboard player Peter Keys, Fuel’s lead guitarist Andy Andersson, and Blind Melon’s lead singer Travis Warren.  Additional special guests included Dr. Jennifer Berman and Dr. Andrew Ordon, co-hosts of the Emmy® award winning CBS show, The Doctors.  All proceeds from the event directly benefits Roaring Fork Valley-based Ascendigo Autism Services, which serves local, regional and national populations of youth and adults across the autism spectrum through experiential, community-based learning opportunities.

Presenting Sponsor Sentient Jet’s CEO and president Andrew Collins said “We are honored to support Light It Up Blue Aspen to raise awareness and increase donations for such an important cause. Sentient Jet has long been a part of the Aspen community and we feel privileged to have the opportunity to positively impact the lives of those affected by autism through this incredible event.”

In addition to the skiing with Bode Miller package generously donated by Sentient Jet, LIUB Aspen featured several other fabulous live auction packages including:

  • A guest racer spot with Team Oracle USA at the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Chicago – June 10, 2016.
  • An ultra-luxury 7-Day Mediterranean cruise for two with Seabourn Cruises.
  • A one week stay at a stunning villa in the enchanting town of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
  • An unforgettable evening at European Ranch with Chef Edward Schmidt for 16 guests!

“About one in every 45 children are diagnosed with Autism and the condition is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the world,” said Sallie Bernard, founder of Ascendigo Autsim Services (http://ascendigo.org/).  “Light It Up Blue Aspen raised a great deal of funds for autism thanks to LIUB Aspen’s dedicated supporters.

About Ascendigo

Ascendigo, based in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley, serves local, regional and national populations of youth and adults across the autism spectrum to enhance their health, life abilities, personal growth and social engagement. Ascendigo programming provides individually tailored camps, school age behavioral support services and adult enrichment – including vocational development and community integration. Our approach is based on positive direction and reinforcement to stretch our clients to reach greater independence, social skills and a more positive sense of self. A key component of our programing is learning and behavioral enhancement through outdoor sports. We leverage best practices in experiential/ naturalistic learning approaches, kinesthetic challenges, supported group engagement and community based as well as clinically based applied behavioral analysis. One of the unique features of our programming is that we accept all medically stable individuals, anywhere on the spectrum – from those that are non-verbal with difficult behaviors to those that are high functioning and verbal. Currently served are people from age 7 into the 20s. www.ascendigo.org

About Autism

Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that inhibits a person’s ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by behavioral challenges. Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed in one in 45 children in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown. Autism Speaks celebrates Light It Up Blue along with the international autism community. Aspen joins this global initiative two months early to kick-off Autism Awareness Month in April and to help raise awareness about autism.

About Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is the umbrella organization of the Light it Up Blue campaign, the goal of which is to shine the light of awareness on autism in every community. The Light it Up Blue campaign has spread to include over 1800 participating locations in 180 cities and 35 countries. Light It Up Blue Aspen is proud to be affiliated with this global effort that includes such esteemed landmarks as the Empire State Building, the Sydney Opera House, and Niagara Falls.

 

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