BETHANY COLLEGE TO HOST AUTISM AWARENESS FUNDRAISING FOOTBALL GAME
Lindsborg, Kan., Sept 5, 2022 – The Bethany College Department of Athletics and the Swedes Football Team is hosting an Autism Awareness fundraising game on Saturday, Oct. 1st, 2022, against the Bethel College Threshers.
Spectators are encouraged to wear Bethany blue to the game, or any variant of blue, as blue is the commonly known color for autism awareness.
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication. Typically passed on genetically, approximately 1 in 44 children are diagnosed with autism in the United States alone. Autism affects children of all ethnic and social groups and may be diagnosed as early as age two.
Heartspring, a non-profit organization in Wichita, Kansas, has partnered with Bethany College for the first Light It Up Blue game against Bethel College. Heartspring strives to be a leader and innovator in providing clinically supported service through education and therapies for children with special needs to empower them to grow and learn on a path to a more independent life.
The Light It Up Blue Autism Awareness game on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, will serve as a fundraiser and donation opportunity with half of the proceeds going to Heartspring. Those unable to attend the game, may donate through the Bethany College website at bethanylb.edu/autism and writing 'Light It Up Blue' in the donation purpose.
Bethany College, established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881, is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The mission of Bethany College is to educate, develop, and challenge individuals to reach for truth and excellence as they lead lives of faith, learning, and service. At Bethany, students join a community of dedicated educators and caring mentors who walk alongside them as they discover, explore, and navigate the path to their purpose. Bethany College is online at bethanylb.edu and is located in Lindsborg, Kansas, the fine arts and crafts capital of the state.
