Phoebe White
Submitted to The Bengal
The Iota Kappa Chapter of Alpha Xi Delta is hosting its annual AmaXing Challenge Race in efforts to raise understanding, acceptance and funds for their philanthropy, Autism Speaks. This year, the AmaXing Challenge Step It Up event will be a 5K color run.
The race will take place on campus on April 7 and is open to all students, staff and all members of the community.
In addition to the colorful run, there will also be games and activities for all ages, raffles for different prize packages and guest speakers to help raise understanding for individuals who fall within the autism spectrum.
“This event is important to me because not only is it my sorority’s annual fundraising event for our philanthropy, but I have a family-friend that has a son with autism,” said Danielle Neiman, this year’s AmaXing Race coordinator. “A lot of girls in Alpha Xi Delta have a personal connection to someone with this condition and we all hold this event close to our hearts.”
The race will be held on the quad, which officially begins at 10:00 a.m. and will go until 1:00 p.m. Registration for the color run costs $25 for an individual and $75 for a group of four.
Since Alpha Xi Delta partnered with Autism Speaks in 2009, it have raised over $5 million in proceeds for the organization. It’s their mission to contribute to Autism Speaks by helping change the future for all who struggle with an autism spectrum disorder. They are committed to doing so by raising the funds necessary to help support these individuals and their families.
Many Alpha Xi Deltas across the country have personal connections with autism and bring their passion and support to other members of their chapter and members of their community.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in 68 children have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The hope of this race is to continue to raise understanding and acceptance of ASD. Since 2005, Autism Speaks has been advocating to help individuals on all spectrums of autism disorder. Their mission is to increase understanding and improve services for every family in every corner of the world affected by autism. They do so through advancing research to better understand how to support those affected by it.
“Last year, we had such a great turnout for the race and we would like to see even more students and community members involved this year,” said Hannah Wuttke, former AmaXing Challenge coordinator. “Our philanthropy is dear to our hearts and we take any and every opportunity to spread acceptance and understanding about autism around campus, throughout the community and nationwide. The AmaXing Challenge race is for a great cause and we are incredibly motivated to make it a great event.”
Students can learn more about the race at one of the AmaXing Challenge tables in Rendezvous or in the PSUB and can register for the color run online.
