Lake Park raising funds with Walk for Autism

A penny may buy you a thought, but it also can help fight autism at Lake Park High School East Campus.

The student council at the Roselle school is trying to raise money to fight the brain disorder. Buckets asking students for spare change will be in most classrooms until Thursday.

Money collected will be donated to the Walk Now for Autism fundraising event at Soldier Field in Chicago. Student council members are planning to participate in the May 18 event.

"It's a really good cause," said Dani Dale, a sophomore and student council member spearheading the effort. "If you're going to donate to something, this is going to help kids in need."

Autism inhibits the ability to communicate, develop social relationships and is often accompanied by extreme behavioral challenges.

It affects one in every 150 children in the United States. Boys are four times likelier to develop autism than girls, according to the Walk Now for Autism Web site, www.walknowforautism.org, The diagnosis of autism has increased tenfold in the last decade.

"I think autism is one of those un-talked about diseases that people don't understand," said Pam Moshure, a teacher at Lake Park and the student council's adviser.

"If we can make more people aware that it does exist and that many of our children experience this disease, we can help these kids."

Student council members hope to raise $500. Whichever first period class collects the most money likely will receive some type of treat from the school cafeteria.

Anyone wishing to make a donation can send a check to Lake Park High School East Campus, attention student council and Pam Moshure, 600 S. Medinah Road, Roselle, IL 60172.