'So supportive to us and our families': Norwin Elks donates $6,500 to Westmoreland autism nonprofit

The Autism Society of America’s Westmoreland County chapter hosted its monthly recreation event Nov. 17 at Hillview Bowling Lanes in Hempfield.

The nonprofit covered all of the expenses, allowing attendees to bowl free of charge. A recent donation to the society from the Norwin Elks lodge in Manor is partially to thank.

The Norwin Elks held its fourth annual car cruise fundraiser Aug. 24, drawing nearly 215 cars, 5,000 people and $6,500 for the society. The funds were donated to the society during the group’s October bowling event.

The donation will cover all of the society’s annual expenses, apart from its summer camp, said Westmoreland chapter President Melissa Fligger.

“That’s an astronomical amount of money and so supportive to us and our families,” said Fligger, who has been involved with the Westmoreland Chapter for 13 years.

Eric Otto, the Norwin Elks’ leading knight, was inspired to host the car cruise in 2021 by his great nephew, Jacob, who has autism and is nonverbal. The car cruise is held in late August in honor of Jacob’s Aug. 27 birthday.

“It breaks my heart,” Otto said through tears. “(Melissa) sees it every day. They don’t have a care in the world. They love everybody. That’s what it’s all about.”

The society connects local families with autism support resources and hosts monthly events, including swimming, bowling and rollerskating. It also organizes a three day summer camp in June at Antiochian Village in Fairfield, where attendees partake in swimming, archery, fishing, crafts and cabin camping.

The group has about 350 members of all ages, Fligger said.

“It’s just nice to be able to provide these opportunities for these families so that they can have a safe place to go to for their family,” she said. “They know they’re going to have support and care while they’re there.”

In addition to being a key fundraiser for the society, the Elks car cruise raises awareness for the developmental condition, Fligger said.

“They’re individuals just like all the rest of us,” she said. “They have something important and valuable that they can bring to this world, that they can bring to a relationship. It’s important for them to have social opportunities.

“It’s important for the average person to meet these different individuals and be able to understand that there are different learners in this world and that’s OK. Not everyone has to be the same.”