Gilmour Academy Raises $2,500 for Autism Speaks

second annual Swing for a Solution raised more than $2,500 – almost triple the amount raised last year.

The event was rescheduled twice due to rain and finally took place May 25 as an intrasquad game between the varsity and junior varsity teams. There was also a middle school game between Gilmour and Laurel schools.

At both events, volunteers ran concession stands where all items were sold for donations and 100 percent of the money was given to the nonprofit organization Autism Speaks.

Gilmour assistant softball coach Kristy Booher started Swing for a Solution in honor of fellow coach Mandy Hansen's youngest son, Michael, who is autistic. Michael, 7, appeared at the intrasquad game.

When Michael Hansen comes to the event, there is a golf cart on hand for him to sit in and ride around campus.

“The golf cart is a release for him,” said Mandy Hansen.  “He’s in school all day and then has therapy four times a week on top of that which can be very demanding.  For him to be able to have fun and do something he really enjoys, that makes me happy as his mother to see him just being a kid.”
 
Hansen wants people to understand that children affected by autism are still very intelligent, they just don’t learn the same way.  “Michael can count coins and he is learning to read and write just like any other young child.  He just doesn’t learn in the same manner as children who aren’t affected.  Different methods of communication and teaching are used and more time goes into it, but Michael has come so far since first being diagnosed.”
 
“By having Michael at the event, people are able to get a better sense for what Swing for a Solution is all about,” said Booher.  “Michael is such a sweetheart, and when he looks at you, you can see it in his eyes that he has lots to say, he just isn’t ready to have the words come out yet.”

Donations are still being accepted up until the walk for autism takes place in September.  Anyone interested in making a donation on behalf of Swing for a Solution should contact Kristy Booher at booherk@gilmour.org or 440-473-8198. All donations are tax deductible.
 
To date, Swing for a Solution has raised just over $3,000. Any team interested in participating in the third installment of the event next school year should also contact Booher.  Teams do not have to be opponents of Gilmour to participate and can be at any level, including, but not limited to, middle school and high school softball and baseball teams.