Community at its Best

The extended Lapierre family including Ferlands, Robidoux and Hinchee’s – aunts, uncles, three children and their children recently came together to hold a garage sale in Manchester to benefit the LRCS Autism Center Walkathon!

Hank and Rachel Lapierre’s grandson, Christian, was one of the first children enrolled in the LRCS Family Resource Center’ Autism Center of Central NH.  He was only 2 years old then. Now 8 and entering 3rd grade, Christian is making great progress.

His family however has never forgotten the people associated with the Autism Center who supported them during those early days. And ever since, Christian’s extended family and friends have supported the Autism Center Walkathon. Their team ‘Christian’s Connections’ started walking and raising money for the Center in 2011. And his mother Denise Colby and father Syl Lapierre have been fully vested in its success from the start.

Unfortunately, this year Christian’s grandparents won’t be able to attend the 6th Annual Autism Center Walkathon on Sept. 18, but that’s not stopping the family from supporting the cause. The Lapierre, Robidoux, Hinchee and Ferland families of Manchester recently held a neighborhood garage sale and together raised $500 to donate to the Autism Center.

“It’s touching that Christian’s family and friends didn’t forget us even though they can’t attend the Walkathon this year,” said LRCS’ Director of Development and Public Relations Joanne Piper Lang. As a local non-profit, LRCS relies on community support. While it’s always great to attract large donors, we’re also blessed with so many supporters who give generously of their time and with whatever resources they have.

We’ve all read about children using their lemonade stands or birthday parties to help a cause important to them, demonstrating that you don’t need a big bank account to make a difference – just some creativity and a generous spirit.

Here are some ways you can support LRCS: Ask your employer if they have a matching gift program. Participate in a community fundraiser like the 6th Annual Autism Center Walkathon, coming up on Sept. 18.  Make an Annual Fund gift as a tribute to a loved one or to commemorate a special occasion. Or volunteer your time. You can find out more about volunteer opportunities at LRCS by contacting Nicole Lemelin at Nicole.lemelin@lrcs.org.

Comments, questions, and ideas for future blog posts can be sent to: Joanne Piper Lang, LRCS Director of Development and PR at joanne.lang@lrcs.org