So, I had this genus idea. Dye my hair blue for April, which is Autism Awareness month. In reality, it is because I am over 40 and want a reason to do something super funky with my hair.... Cause, you know, forty year old mommies can't just dye their hair blue for FUN.
Autism Speaks has a campaign they do every year for Autism Awareness month called "Light it up Blue for Autism". They encourage people to change the exterior lights of their homes to blue to display support and encourage awareness.
Dude, we live on a circle. We have maybe 6 neighbors who would see it. Not enough! Plus, how am I suppose to educate ANYONE on autism with a blue light? Like someone is gonna stop at my house and say "hey, what is up with the blue light?". No, we need something more "in your face". Something I carry with me. Something out of character.
Blue hair.
And one thing led to another and.... allow me to reveal my latest effort:
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Highlight It Up Blue for Autism
Creating Autism Awareness while looking Super Fly
Highlight It Up Blue is a local autism awareness campaign and fundraising event that we are looking to launch at the beginning of April.
The Purpose: Provide people opportunities to learn and educate about autism through sporting funky blue hair extensions for the month of April.
How it works: For a small donation to United for Autism, participants will have blue hair extensions placed in their hair by our volunteer professional hairstylists. They will also be given education materials about autism, and be encouraged to spread the word about autism: what it is, how it affects children and adults, and how we can help. We will encourage these participants to pass on the word by educating their friends, family and even perfect strangers about the purpose of their super-fly blue hair extensions.
Who it is for: Anyone!! Old or young, male of female! (well, I guess you do need hair?) Let me know if you want to be on our email update list to participate!!!
Wanna help? Contact me pia.prenevost@gmail.com We are still looking to solidify a location for this event! Volunteers welcome! (Super Fly poster draft done by Tahni Cullen.)
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As you can see, I am still in the beginning stages! In addition to a awareness campaign, I have also decided to use it as a fundraising effort for United for Autism, a local group providing support to families dealing with autism in their lives. They do education, seminars, and provide sensory friendly activities for our ASD loved ones. How cool is that! I am keeping it local, cause you know... that is how I roll. But if you live elsewhere and want to blatantly steal my idea, go for it!!! Wouldn't it be cool if there was a whole lot of blue haired old ladies (or men) running around in April?! And by blue, I mean BLUE!
FEEDBACK PLEASE!! Thoughts and ideas!!!! Yes, YOU!
FEEDBACK PLEASE!! Thoughts and ideas!!!! Yes, YOU!
