Children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities will benefit from “Hats Off to ACN,” the 2019 Autism Center of Nebraska Gala.
Scheduled for May 4 from 6-10 p.m. at ACN’s event center, 9012 Q St., the gala will include a cocktail hour, dinner, silent auction, live auction and a talk by Howard Needelman, M.D.
Dr. Needelman, assistant professor with the Munroe-Meyer Institute and the University of Nebraska Medical Center Department of Pediatrics, is a noted neonatologist who serves as faculty coordinator for Project DOCC (Delivery of Chronic Care) and resident rotation director of developmental/behavioral pediatrics at UNMC.
“We are very pleased to have Dr. Needelman as our guest speaker this year,” said Joan K. Marcus, president of the Autism Center board. “I’m sure his observations about autism, based on his decades of research, will be of interest to everyone at the gala.”
Gala highlights also will include presentation of the John T. Clark Memorial Award, which recognizes the contributions of Clark, a longtime Omaha financial adviser who was an Autism Center president. This year’s award will go to former congressman Hal Daub, who also has served as an NU regent and Omaha mayor.
Employer Partnership Awards will be presented to Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and to KOLN/KGIN, Channel 10/11 in Lincoln.
This is the second year for the gala, which will feature Omaha radio personality Dave Wingert as master of ceremonies. Shayne Fili of Auction Solutions Inc. will conduct the live auction.
Gala proceeds will support Autism Center programs including community-based living options, vocational day services and The Art Garden, a unique gallery featuring work by ACN artisans.
Tables of 10 are $1,000; individual tickets are $100. To purchase tickets, tables or to otherwise sponsor the gala, contact Patrice Meiners at pmeiners@acnomaha.org or 402-315-1000 (extension 100), or go to: http://www.acnomaha.org.
Cheri Albin is gala committee chair.
The Autism Center of Nebraska (ACN) is a certified developmental disabilities service provider under contract with the State of Nebraska Health & Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities. Nearly 150 individuals receive services from ACN, ranging in age from five to 65. Although ACN specializes in autism, we serve persons with a variety of developmental disabilities. Individualized services and supports are designed to lead to a higher level of independence for each individual receiving services, addressing the individual’s desires for his/her future. ACN provides a variety of residential, vocational, pre-vocational and educational services. At ACN, we believe that every person, regardless of disability, is valuable, and deserves to be considered valued members of their home community.
The Munroe-Meyer Institute’s (MMI) mission is to be world leaders in transforming the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families and communities through outreach, engagement, premier educational programs, innovative research and extraordinary patient care
We are Nebraska Medicine and UNMC. Our mission is to lead the world in transforming lives to create a healthy future for all individuals and communities through premier educational programs, innovative research and extraordinary patient care.