Lindt’s Unsung Heroes of Autism Contest

The Unsung Heroes of Autism contest is nothing short of brilliant. Lindt, the Master Swiss Chocolatier is honoring everyday people, the unsung heroes of autism whose extraordinary efforts have impacted the autism cause. The contest, now in its third year, has garnered attention that’s been nothing short of remarkable.
For more than 165 years, Lindt has been one of the global leaders in creating premium, Swiss chocolate products. Their blog “Lindt Chocolate Unwrapped” launched late Sept of 2010, an industry first. Lindt’s social media campaign educates and engages chocolate lovers via Facebook, Twitter and email. Thomas Linemayr, CEO and President of Lindt USA shared the following “We are excited to share this ‘inside look’ and hope it interests and educates, as well as fosters more two-way conversations with consumers.”
I am so pleased to see the winners of the contest for The 2011 Lindt Unsung Heroes of Autism have been revealed. The winners were awarded with $5,000 and a trip to New York for an awards luncheon at The New York Palace hotel in their honor on March 30 to kick off the month of April, National Autism Awareness Month.

Kerri Duncan of Springfield, Mo. saw the need in her community to provide quality educational opportunities for those with autism. She opened the Rivendale Center for Autism and Institute of Learning in 2000 and now serves as the school's director. The Center is the only private school for children with autism in southwest Missouri specializing in behavior therapy and intensive individualized instruction and serves 45 students annually.
Connie Erbert of Wichita, Kan. has devoted her entire professional career to improving the lives of those impacted by autism. She’s the director of the Community of Autism Resources and Education program (CARE) at Heartspring, which she founded in 2007. Today, the program is utilized by more than 700 families in the Wichita area and offers consultation services to businesses and school districts. In the spring of 2008, she started the first walk for autism awareness in the Wichita area, which has raised more than $120,000 to date.
Bonnie Gillman of Tustin, Calif., inspired by her 11-year-old grandson, saw a critical role grandparents of children with autism could play in supporting their families. In 2006, Gillman founded the Grandparent Autism Network (GAN), a first-of-its-kind all-volunteer nonprofit organization in Orange County, Calif. dedicated to supporting and providing resources to grandparents of children with autism. Since 2006, she has personally planned and provided 42 cost-free events for GAN's 800 members, their families, and the 34 communities she serves in the county.
Lindt’s unsung heroes from 2009 included Dr. Rebecca Morrison and Mr. Charles Allen. It was their unwavering commitment to the cause and their dedicated contributions to those impacted by autism. Both were instrumental in starting schools for children with autism spectrum disorders. The Heroes received $5,000 toward their efforts in support of the autism cause and were featured in the June issue of Cookie Magazine.
Unsung heroine Dr. Rebecca Morrison of Westerville, Ohio started the state’s only full inclusion school for children with autism spectrum disorders; (grades 2 through 12). In 1999 Oakstone Academy started with 30 students and today serves over 400.
In 2003, Charles Allen from Round Hill, Virginia, along with three other parents, co-founded the Aurora School to address the needs of students with autism that could not be met within the local school system or in a traditional classroom setting. The Aurora School serves students with autism, developmental delay and other health impairments.
Lindt’s unsung heroes from 2010, the second year of contest recognized Lisa Lane, Elizabeth Ritchie and Elizabeth Scheinberg for their remarkable contributions and dedicated commitment to the cause.
It was Lisa Lane of Greenville, S.C. who helped to establish the Project HOPE Foundation to serve those affected by autism. She has been instrumental in the development and growth of HOPE Academy, a non-profit school.
Anyone who’s remotely familiar with Elizabeth Ritchie of Knoxville, Tenn. knows that she has a strong passion for educating others about autism. She is responsible for securing several grants for autism research and education. Ritchie's outstanding commitment and energy has generated significant awareness and furthered the support of autism in her community via school programs and Camp Koinonia Foundation and Breakthrough Corporation.
Known as a dedicated volunteer Elizabeth Scheinberg of Newark, Del. has developed several recreational programs for autistic children in the community including “The Merry Otters” swimming program. A member of the community’s school board her sole aim is to ensure special needs programs receive appropriate attention.
Each Unsung Hero received $5,000 toward their efforts in support of the autism cause and they were featured in the June issue of Parents Magazine.
Did you know that autism is the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the U.S., affecting 1 in every 110 American children? More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes and cancer combined. Lindt’s social media campaign has started to pick up steam; the company will donate to Autism Speaks 10¢ with each purchase of a Lindt Gold Bunny, $1 with every Lindt eCard sent, and $1 with every new Lindt Facebook fan. Sweet!