The 2018 Ag for Autism AgBash was held Monday, March 12 at Arkansas State University’s Centennial Hall in Jonesboro. The new event, which replaced the organization’s annual Bracket Bonanza, featured entertainment by Barrett Baber, of NBC’s “The Voice” fame and raised more than $67,000 for local autism therapies.
A packed house enjoyed an exciting evening which also featured a silent auction, a delicious dinner and a number of fun-filled activities. Highlights included:
- Silent Auction. Buyers were once again able to shop and bid on items online in advance of the event and continue mobile bidding right up through the evening of the event. We were blessed with an abundance of donations and sales.
- Raffles for a chance to win either a Traeger Pro Series 34 Pellet Grill or a Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 Sitka Optifade Timber Camo Gun.
- Golden Puzzle Piece Winner. Cache River Valley Seed topped this year’s Golden Puzzle Piece Employee Giving Program which all together raised $8150 among the respective employees of participating companies. If your employees would like to participate in the 2019 Golden Puzzle Piece Employee Giving Program, please contact Daniel Pieroni at 870-886-0585 or Danny Graham at 870-240-5739 for details.
Applications for Ag for Autism grants funded by the proceeds of this event are available through the spring at www.AgforAutism.org. Both individuals and organizations providing autism services are eligible to apply.
Watch for details about the 2019 AgBash on the organization’s social media platforms and web site at www.AgforAutism.org. Ag for Autism is a 501 (c)(3) entity and all donations are tax deductible.
History :: Ag for Autism was born after a number of agriculture-related organizations—Armor Seed, Cache River Valley Seed and Farm Credit Midsouth—were compelled to band together with the support of other area agriculture companies and organizations in support of a very worthy cause. They are joined by a long and growing list of sponsors, a complete list of which may be found at www.AgforAutism.org.
In many cases, autism therapies are not covered by insurance and Medicaid, but are critical to help a child function at his or her highest ability. Research shows many families, especially those in more rural areas, struggle to find and afford the important therapies that can be life changing. It is the organization’s goal to ease this financial burden and help these families access the services they need.
* All photos courtesy of Nicole Graham; photo booth photo courtesy of Be Snap Happy.
A packed house enjoys the 2018 Ag for Autism AgBash.
AgBash featured performer Barrett Baber—a finalist on NBC’s The Voice.
Randy Woodard of Cache River Valley Seed accepts the 2018 Golden Puzzle Piece Employee Giving Award from Ag for Autism President Danny Graham.
New this year! Photo booth fun; service donated by Be Snap Happy Photo Booth.
Ag for Autism volunteers sport the exclusive 2018 Ag for Autism “Cultivate Kindness” t-shirt for sale at AgforAutism.org.