Els for Autism Foundation Aligns with CADEF for Annual Golf Tournament
ATLANTA-(Business Wire)-September 16, 2009 - The Atlanta-based Childhood Autism Foundation (CADEF) today announced an official affiliation with the Els for Autism Foundation, established in March 2009 by professional golfer Ernie Els. The Els for Autism Foundation will work with CADEF to make the annual Magnolia Classic Golf Tournament an even greater success. The tournament, historically one of CADEF’s premier fundraising events, will be held Oct. 12, 2009, at the Marietta Country Club.
“We are excited to be working with the Els for Autism Foundation,” notes Stephanie Christiansen, CADEF Executive Director. “Our collaboration will provide for a strong voice to increase awareness about autism, and help advance efforts to develop vital resources to improve the lives of children, adults and their families affected by the disease.”
CADEF was founded in 1985 by a group of Atlanta area parents and community leaders concerned about the lack of services for individuals in Georgia with autism. It has grown rapidly in the past 24 years, and has raised more than $4.5 million to drive progress in the areas of diagnosis, treatment, education, training, social involvement and research. In addition, CADEF conducted a $3.4 million capital campaign in 2001 to construct the Emory Autism Center at Emory University, designed specifically for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders.
Ernie and Liezl Els, whose son is affected by autism, established their Foundation last spring with the intent of funding an Autism Center of Excellence to include an educational program for children age 3-21, an on-site services component for doctors, speech therapists and other specialists, a continuing services program for adults, and a research facility where scientists can study causes and possible treatments for autism.
“We applaud CADEF’s work over the last quarter century,” says Ernie Els, a native of South Africa who now resides in Florida and has won more than 60 professional golf tournaments, “and believe that the collaboration between our organizations will significantly increase our ability to help children on the autism spectrum.”
The Els for Autism Foundation will provide a limited edition photograph depicting three Ernie Els professional tournament wins to be raffled at the Magnolia Classic, as well as the opportunity for a foursome to play golf at Mr. Els’ home golf course in Jupiter, Florida. Mrs. Els will deliver a recorded message to participants in the Magnolia Classic, to kick off the event. Ten percent of the proceeds will be shared with the Els foundation.
“It is an honor to be affiliated with the Els family and the Els for Autism Foundation,” remarks Kirk Reid, CADEF Board Member and Executive Vice President for Chamberlin Edmonds, which provides support to the nonprofit. “They are clearly dedicated to this cause and passionate about ensuring that appropriate resources are dedicated to assisting individuals and families affected by autism. We look forward to a long and productive affiliation.”
ABOUT CADEF AND THE MAGNOLIA CLASSIC GOLF TOURNAMENT
The Childhood Autism Foundation, Inc. (CADEF) was founded in 1985 by a group of Atlanta area parents and community leaders who were concerned about the lack of services for individuals in Georgia with autism. Its mission is to improve the lives of individuals affected by autism, through the development of resources which provide opportunities for diagnosis, treatment, education, training, social involvement and research. The Magnolia Classic utilizes a Ryder Cup-style format to raise money for CADEF and to promote goodwill and healthy competition. Since 1990, funds raised by this tournament have helped fund the Emory Autism Center, a division of the Emory University School of Medicine. For more information or to register for the tournament, visit http://www.cadef.org.
ABOUT THE ELS FOR AUTISM FOUNDATION
The Els for Autism Foundations was established in 2009 and is committed to funding scientific research aimed at understanding autism and developing knowledge-based treatments with the intention of finding a cure. It is also dedicated to funding Centers of Excellence to include educational programs for students age 3-21 years; a services component of doctors, speech therapists and other specialists; an on-site research center; and a continuing services program for adults with autism spectrum disorders. For more information, please visit http://www.ernieels.com/golf/autism_section_intro_page.html.
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