Aiden's Awesomeness

It's Autism Awareness Month

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 09:22:08 -0400

It’s that time of year again, the time we officially kick our fundraising into gear. We’ll be walking in the Walk Now for Autism Speaks event in Greater Hartford on June 3rd. We’ll also be holding several special fundraising events through our Across the Board initiative, so make sure you sign up for the Across the Board Newsletter.

If you’d like to donate, or join us on our walk, you can do so here.

2012 Greater Hartford Walk Now for Autism Speaks

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:39:05 -0500

Today we registered our team for the 2012 walk! Feel free to sign up to walk with us, or make a donation. You can find our team page here.

These just arrived today! Thanks again to Funagain for the game...

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:23:27 -0400

These just arrived today! Thanks again to Funagain for the game grant, and for helping us build an awesome library for special needs service providers to borrow from!

Grant from Funagain Games!

Sat, 27 Aug 2011 19:44:00 -0400

Tonight we were notified by Funagain Games that we were awarded a $100 board game grant that we had applied for! This will help us grow our game library which will eventually be available for special needs service providers to borrow from. These games are also to be used at game days we host to raise Autism awareness and funds for Autism Speaks.

Our Walk Now for Autism Speaks 2011 team photo!

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 11:20:12 -0400

Our Walk Now for Autism Speaks 2011 team photo!

2011 Walk Now for Autism Speaks

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 17:31:33 -0400

Yesterday we participated in the 2011 Greater Hartford Walk Now for Autism Speaks. We had a strong showing from our team and we were even chosen to cut the ribbon to kick off the walk.

Overall we had a great day, and a great Walk season overall. Our official funds raised to date is $3,275.00! The final count will be even higher as we’re waiting for several donations to post.

First I’d thank to thank everyone who donated. Every bit helps. I’d then like to thank our corporate sponsors for their generous donation of funds, items, etc… I’d like to thank our team for being there to walk with us, and supporting us every step of the way. I’d like to thank my wife, Beatrice, for managing every aspect of everything that had to do with our team and fundraising.

Last, but certainly NOT least, I’d like to thank Aiden. I’d like to thank him for being so awesome. I’d like to thank Delfi and Grey too for being so supportive of their big brother, and gracefully allowing him to hog the spotlight for an entire day.

Even though the walk is now over you can expect to see more events from us in the near future. We hope to see you there!

Giveaway Winners!

Sat, 04 Jun 2011 14:58:00 -0400

We drew the winners for our giveaways today. Here are the winners and what they’ve won!

Bikram Yoga Basket - Chris Haas

Barnes & Noble Gift Basket - Susan McCabe

CT Science Center Tickets - Libby Terra

Stepping Stones Annual Membership - Sarah Ryor

Of course we can’t forget our iPad 2 winner…Paul McCann!

Congratulations to all our winners, and a big thanks to all those who donated! We’ll be contacting each winner individually to let them know they’ve won and to arrange delivery of the items.

Though our giveaways have ended, you can still make a donation here.

We're Cutting the Ribbon!

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 15:58:07 -0400

We just received an e-mail notifying us that from all teams that raised over $2500, Aiden’s Awesomeness has been randomly selected to cut the ribbon on walk day! We are so excited to receive this amazing news, and hope you will join us this Sunday, June 5th, at Rentschler Field to walk for Autism Speaks!

Our Walk Banner is In!

Thu, 26 May 2011 20:15:18 -0400

Here’s our Walk banner, ready for Walk day on June 5th! If you’re attending the Greater Hartford Walk Now for Autism Speaks event, there’s no way you’ll miss us!

Cora Auction

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 09:41:00 -0400

We’ve decided to put one of the Cora dolls we have up for auction on eBay. Bidding starts at $15, and 100% of the winning bid will be donated to Autism Speaks. Shipping via USPS First Class mail will be provided at no cost.

Autism Spectrum Disorder and Gaming

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 19:47:14 -0400

As supporters of autism awareness, our goal is to build a game library and host regular autism friendly gaming events. We hope to provide opportunities to learn through gaming while raising public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families, and society. The game library will be available to all who attend. We hope to maintain an atmosphere of comfort and understanding for those families effected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Children with ASD benefit tremendously from games. Cognitively, games assist with problem solving, deduction, and planning skills; typically areas of weakness for those with ASD. Games also develop memory and math skills. From a speech-language perspective, games assist with vocabulary building as well as pragmatics. Games teach turn-taking skills that can be applied to conversational language. Multiplayer games encourage social interaction and conversation, a very important yet challenging skill for children on the spectrum to develop. The preset rules of the game provide a structure that children with ASD find comforting. Social gaming encourages sharing, being a good winner and loser. Gaming evokes emotions, and active participation in social gaming is a great platform to teach about both emotions and the social rules of gaming.

Games can strengthen gross motor skills and/or fine motor skills. Children with ASD may be deficient in one or both of these skills. Sensory processing can also be effected by the child participating in a social gaming event. The child will be exposed to a new place, with new people, sounds, sights, smells, and games. Though this can be overwhelming, a game of interest to the child can be a point of focus for them and aid in self regulation.

There are so many ways games can help children with ASD, especially in a social gaming situation. We want to provide that opportunity to families in the community. We want neurotypical families and families effected by ASD to enjoy gaming while gaining a better understanding of what ASD is really like and how games can strengthen development.

Soon we’ll have an area of this website dedicated to our gaming, and more info on events and our gaming library.

Thanks to Bikram Yoga in the Valley for this wonderful basket to...

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 12:26:01 -0400

Thanks to Bikram Yoga in the Valley for this wonderful basket to add to our giveaways!

Say hello to Aiden! Like Cora, Aiden is a plush doll hand made...

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 10:19:00 -0400

Say hello to Aiden! Like Cora, Aiden is a plush doll hand made by Sophie & Lili. Unlike Cora, we’ve only got 1 Aiden doll and he’ll be a giveaway. You can enter to win this doll at any of our events.

It's World Autism Awareness Day!

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 11:50:00 -0400

Happy Autism Awareness Day!

As you probably already know, today (April 2nd) is autism awareness day. Aiden’s Awesomeness has decided to celebrate the day by granting all donors access to enter our many giveaways and receive discounted iPad 2 entries! This is the ONLY day you will be able to take advantage of our giveaways without attending one of our physical fundraising events (Jump!Zone April 21st, Board Gaming Day May 24th, and others).

What we have to offer:

-4 general admission tickets and movie passes to the Connecticut Science Center.

- Barnes & Noble gift bag.

- Bikram Yoga in the Valley gift basket.

- Annual family membership to Stepping Stones Museum for Children.

- Sophie & Lili Aiden doll - Boy superhero doll featuring puzzle piece for autism awareness (ONLY 1 of these available!).

- Sophie & Lili Cora doll - Only 20 made, but only 1 will be given away. (Remainder available for purchase).

- Brand new iPad 2!*

What you need to do:

Each giveaway entry is only $1 (except iPad 2 entries; see below). Go to www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/greaterhartford/bkalajian and you can put your entries in for whatever prize you want. Any combination is fine.

Contact bkalajian@aidensawesomeness.org with your giveaway preferences and contact information. Donate as much as you like. There is no cap on the number of entries you are allowed! The walk site does require a minimum $20 donation. If you want to donate less than $20, please make your request to bkalajian@aidensawesomeness.org and I can let you know what to do.

*For today ONLY, iPad 2 entries are only $10 each! That is half price for today ONLY! No limit on number of entries. Donate at www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/greaterhartford/bkalajian to enter. Follow up with sending your contact information to bkalajian@aidensawesomeness.org.

Out of those people who donate TODAY, one will be chosen for a special prize.

This offer will only be good through midnight, so get your donations in TODAY (April 2nd)!

Thank you for your support!

A big thanks to Rio Grande Games for their donation to our game...

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:38:47 -0400

A big thanks to Rio Grande Games for their donation to our game day!

Play for Autism Speaks

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 17:48:00 -0400

Board Game Day
Admission: Free!
May 24th, 2pm - 9pm
Eno Memorial Hall
Simsbury, CT 06070

Come enjoy unlimited board game play and a chance to win one of our many prizes. Attending also provides you with access to our many giveaways, including tickets to the Connecticut Science Center, annual family membership to Stepping Stones Museum for Children, Barnes & Noble gift bag, Bikram Yoga in the Valley gift basket, and more. In addition, the donation to qualify for an entry for the iPad 2 is only $10 (regularly $20) per entry.

There will be board games for adults and children to enjoy. Feel free to bring your favorite games along as well.

Donations are encouraged with 100% going to Autism Speaks.

Please RSVP to bkalajian@aidensawesomeness.org so we can get a head count.

Donate to Win an iPad 2!

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 11:27:00 -0500

Win an iPad 2!

This year Aiden’s Awesomeness is giving away a brand new, 16gb Apple iPad 2 to raise money for Autism Speaks. Interested in winning? Here is what you need to do:

1. Go to http://www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/greaterhartford/bkalajian and donate at least $20. Want to enter yourself more than once? No problem. Donate $40 for 2 entries, $60 for 3 entries, etc.* 100% of your donation goes straight to Autism Speaks.

2. Once you’ve made your donation, email bkalajian@aidensawesomeness.org with your name, phone number, and mailing address. We need this information so that we know how to reach you when you win.

3. You receive a confirmation from us that you have been entered to win.

The winner will be randomly drawn on June 4th and notified by phone, e-mail, and on our website.

* At our upcoming Jump!Zone fundraiser, the minimum donation to qualify to win the iPad will be half price. That means only $10 per entry! Please visit www.aidensawesomeness.org for more information.

Alright! Here’s our logo for this year! Once again our...

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 20:04:00 -0500

Alright! Here’s our logo for this year! Once again our logo was created by my talented cousin Toni.

As you might be able to tell, we’re going with a Batman: The Brave and the Bold design theme this year, as it’s one of Aiden’s favorite shows.

Awesome necklaces and bracelets my cousin Michaela made us and...

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 09:56:03 -0500

Awesome necklaces and bracelets my cousin Michaela made us and the kids.

Say hello to Cora! Cora is a beautiful, 12” plush,...

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 15:55:00 -0500

Say hello to Cora!

Cora is a beautiful, 12” plush, handmade doll created for us by Sophie & Lili. Cora is an Aiden’s Awesomeness exclusive doll, and only 20 of her have been made.

We’ll be selling Cora dolls for $35, with an additional $5 if you’d like her shipped to you. 60% of Cora sales will go to Autism Speaks, with the rest covering the cost of the doll.

Interested in a Cora of your own? Email bkalajian@aidensawesomeness.org