Stupendous. Incredible. Unbelievable.
Pick your adjective. It really doesn’t make much difference. They all capture the essence of what the GWR Sunshine Foundation is doing to support the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Munroe-Meyer Institute.
Under the leadership of Gail Werner-Robertson, founder and CEO of GWR Wealth Management LLC, the GWR Sunshine Foundation raised more than $660,000 this year through a dinner on June 3 and a golf tournament on June 4. This marks the third consecutive year that the foundation has exceeded the $600,000 mark with the events, and additional money is still coming in.
This year’s dinner was held at the Holland Performing Arts Center with the golf tournament at Shadow Ridge Country Club. The dinner was attended by 418 people, while 140 golfers participated in the golf tournament.
Werner-Robertson, who has two sons on the autism spectrum, was thrilled with this year’s fund-raising effort and the buzz generated at the dinner. “It was a magical night,” she said. “You could feel people’s commitment toward autism. Best of all, I think there is much more awareness in the community of what autism is and that we need to support it. I’m really happy about that. We are getting the message out.”
She said a record $360,000 was raised through the oral auction, which was led by Auctioneer Scott Moore. Some of the items that brought in large dollar amounts were: a 2001 BMW Z3 convertible ($22,000); an Alaskan fishing adventure ($12,000); and a Hawaiian golf vacation ($11,000).
Three musicians with links to autism performed at the dinner. They included: Tony DeBlois, a 32-year-old pianist from Randolph, Mass., who is a blind, autistic savant; Charlie Adams, Nashville, Tenn., the lead drummer for Yanni for more than 20 years whose family has been touched by autism; and Matt Savage, a 14-year-old autistic savant jazz pianist from Sudbury, Mass., who is able to read music backwards.
“I think the entertainment brought a new light to what people on the autism spectrum can accomplish,” Werner-Robertson said. “I know it gave me inspiration and hope for my kids.”
Two prominent individuals were recognized at this year’s dinner — C.L. Werner, Gail’s father and chairman of the board of Werner Enterprises, one of the five largest truckload carriers in the United States; and Dick Holland, a retired Omaha advertising executive who is one of the leading philanthropists in the community. Both Werner and Holland have made major contributions to the GWR Sunshine Foundation.
John and Lynne Boyer served as honorary chairpersons for the dinner. John Boyer is a partner in the Omaha law firm of Fraser Stryker Meusey Olson Boyer & Bloch, PC. Lynne Boyer, one of the daughters of Omaha philanthropist, Chuck Durham, is a leading community volunteer.
Werner-Robertson cited two Nebraska state senators – Rich Pahls of Omaha and Tony Fulton of Lincoln – for leading the way in getting LB 482 passed during this year’s legislature session. The bill will allow families without abundant financial resources to get the early intervention treatment their autistic children need at MMI and other qualified providers throughout the state. Under the bill, the GWR Sunshine Foundation will provide at least $1 in matching funds for every $2 the state contributes to the Autism Treatment Program Cash Fund.
“We can’t thank Gail and the GWR Sunshine Foundation enough,” said Wayne Fisher, Ph.D., director of the MMI Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders. “The fund-raising and public awareness efforts generated by these events are the central driving force behind the rapid expansion of the amount, variety, and quality of services available to children with autism and their families in Nebraska.”
Autism is much more common than most people realize, Dr. Fisher said, as current data indicates that 1 in every 150 children has autism. This is up from1 in 166 children last year. Autism affects more children than juvenile diabetes, childhood cancer and Down syndrome combined, Dr. Fisher said.
“The money raised will truly make a difference,” said Annie Bird, coordinator of the MMI Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders. “Through the continuing support of Gail and the many donors who so generously contributed to the cause, children with autism and their families will receive direct benefits not previously available.”
Bruce Buehler, M.D., director of MMI and chairman of the UNMC Department of Pediatrics, called Werner-Robertson “a true champion for all families with individuals on the autism spectrum disorder.”
Next up for the GWR Sunshine Foundation will be an educational summit on autism on Sept. 7-8 in Omaha. This will be the second of two autism summits in 2007. Temple Grandin, Ph.D., who is considered one of the most accomplished and well-known adults with autism in the world, will be the keynote speaker.
Dr. Grandin didn’t talk until she was 3 1/2 years old, and her parents were told that she should be institutionalized. Instead, thanks to a mentor who recognized her interests and abilities, she became a successful designer of livestock handling equipment. She has designed the facilities in which about half the cattle in the U.S. are handled.
For more information on the summit, contact Bridget Cannon-Hale, GWR Sunshine Foundation, 402-496-7200, or go online to www.gwrsunshinefoundation.org.
UNMC is the only public health science center in the state. Its educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution. Through their commitment to education, research, patient care and outreach, UNMC and its hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center, have established themselves as one of the country’s leading centers in cancer, transplantation biology, bioterrorism preparedness, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, genetics, biomedical technology and ophthalmology. UNMC’s research funding from external sources is now nearly $80 million annually and has resulted in the creation of more than 2,400 highly skilled jobs in the state. UNMC’s physician practice group, UNMC Physicians, includes more than 460 physicians in 50 specialties and subspecialties who practice primarily in The Nebraska Medical Center. For more information, go to UNMC’s Web site at www.unmc.edu.