By Derek Schlennstedt
To raise money for Autism Spectrum Australia, Valley Xpresso in Woori Yallock is holding a ‘pay what you can afford day’ on Friday, 31 March.
On the day, a donation box will be placed on the counter where people can drop as much money as they like into the box, says owner Steve Taylor.
“It could be $1 or it could be $100, order a coffee and go … it’s that simple.
“We’ll be donating these coffees to help bring awareness about this fantastic cause,” he said.
Woori Yallock locals Darren and Jennifer Sadler are facilitating the fund-raiser after Tamika, their seven-year-old daughter, was diagnosed with autism in 2015.
The couple are also undertaking a fund-raising initiative to raise awareness for autism by walking 10,000 steps per day from 2 April until 9 April.
Jennifer urges people to be more aware about autism, which is often diagnosed late due to each individual displaying different traits and characteristics.
“It’s in our life every day and will be for the rest of our lives,” she says.
“Every day, simple things like getting dressed to go to school, to what we’re going to have for dinner. Everything has to be visual for her, we can’t change plans on the spot, and she needs to know three or four days in advance … .we need to stick to a strict routine or else she just can’t cope,” says Jennifer.
Children diagnosed with autism often have difficulty with social interaction and display a tendency to engage in repetitive behaviour.
Steve, who is close friends with Darren and Jennifer has seen first-hand the hard work, time and money that is needed to care for children diagnosed under the spectrum and has offered help to raise money through the Valley Xpresso.
The money raised will go to the Autism-spectrum Australia which provides information, intervention and a range of services to help meet the needs of people on the spectrum and their families.
Steve told the Mail that any amount of money helped and invited everyone to stop on their way to work Friday morning to help donate to a fantastic cause.
“Raising awareness helps us understand just how complex these issues are, and will hopefully assist in developing new strategies to contribute in integrating these fantastic kids into society and let them lead as normal a life as possible.”
“Nearly everybody knows someone, somewhere, who has been affected by autism, and we are really hoping to help a local family raise a huge amount for this very worthy cause,” he said.
Valley Xpresso is located along Warburton Highway, just after Lusatia Park Road and before Lester Street,
