Ocean City Blows Bubbles for Autism Awareness

More than a million Americans live with autism, and on Monday afternoon an even greater number of bubbles floated above the Earth.

Last year, 57,202 people in 303 different places worldwide blew bubbles to set an unofficial world record and raise awareness as part of the annual Bubbles 4 Autism awareness day.

This year, an even greater number — including students at Ocean City High School, Ocean City Intermediate School and Ocean City Primary School — attempted to set an official Guiness World Record by blowing bubbles on Monday, April 22.

"Bubbles are symbols of joy, hope and laughter," the Ventnor-based organization Faces 4 Autism writes on its website. "They bring people together. When we Blow Bubbles for Autism together, we create a new awareness of families facing autism."

Ventnor's Mosca family formed the support group Families for Autistic Children in 2002, and the Bubbles 4 Autism Day started at Ventnor Elementary School 10 years ago.

The event includes various fundraising events to help children and families with autism to attend special trainings for autism and to educate teachers and families on autism. April is Autism Awareness Month.