A.C. Moore Offers Help for Easter Seals and Families Living with Autism

It may seem puzzling at first, but there’s a crafty and creative way families can help people living with autism this spring.  A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc. has teamed up with Easter Seals again for the second annual in-store campaign and crafting event that asks customers to Act for Autism from March 27 through May 7.

According to a release, customers who visit any A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts store, including the one at 1907 Street Road, during that timeframe will be able to donate $1 to Easter Seals’ Act for Autism campaign at checkout. The money raised will support Easter Seals autism services in those same local communities, giving thousands of children and adults with autism access to critical services that help them live, learn, work, and play.

As a special bonus for customers, A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts will host free in-store “Make and Take” craft events at its 136 locations on April 9 from 1 to 3 p.m. for children and their families. Here, customers can come into the store to decorate an Act for Autism jigsaw puzzle or go online for instructions to create one at home (www.acmoore.com or www.actforautism.org).

The campaign coincides with National Craft Month in March and National Autism Awareness Month in April, and gives customers an opportunity to express their creativity, make a personalized puzzle, learn about autism—its signs, symptoms and support through treatment—and help support families living with autism.

“It’s all part of our localized Crafting a Better World™ initiative,” says David Abelman, Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer for A.C. Moore.   “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to heighten awareness and provide an outlet for both our employees and customers to make a difference in their communities.”

Why Act for Autism with A.C. Moore and Easter Seals

“We know that through early detection and individualized intervention, children with autism make significant progress,” explains Dr. Patricia Wright, MPH, Ph.D., national director autism services, Easter Seals. “The funds raised through our partnership with A.C. Moore will give more children with autism the care, guidance and support they need.”

Today, one in 110 children are diagnosed with autism and there’s an increasing need for funding, services and support. There’s no known cause, cure or single effective treatment, but people with autism at any age can make significant progress and lead meaningful lives. Getting the right support at the earliest stage in life can help a child gain the skills he or she needs to be successful.

“A.C. Moore and Easter Seals are a great fit—we’re able to combine our efforts to raise autism awareness, build community involvement and hopefully, inspire children of all abilities to find their inner artist,” adds Wright.