Goldsboro is bringing awareness to Autism. —

April is Autism Awareness Month and Goldsboro is helping to promote understanding and awareness support for those with autism. Many downtown business owners who are supporting autism awareness are setting out blue lights in the storefront windows, wearing blue t-shirts and setting out blue table cloths. The city even changed the water color in the fountain to blue!

Facts on Autism

• About 1 percent of the world population has autism spectrum disorder. (CDC, 2014)
• Prevalence in the United States is estimated at 1 in 68 births. (CDC, 2014)
• More than 3.5 million Americans live with an autism spectrum disorder. (Buescher et al., 2014)
• Prevalence of autism in U.S. children increased by 119.4 percent from 2000 (1 in 150) to 2010 (1 in 68). (CDC, 2014) Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability. (CDC, 2008)

Ways to get involved

• April 29 – Coastal NC Run/Walk for Autism, Wilmington (http://support.autismsociety-nc.org/site/TR?fr_id=1180&pg=entry)
• Give a monthly gift: Pledge to make a charitable gift as little as $25 every month, to provide steady, dependable resources for our families. Indicate your desire to support ASNC monthly by clicking monthly under the donation type. Sign up to give a monthly gift to ASNC today!
• Volunteer: http://www.autismsociety-nc.org/index.php/presets/volunteer
• Shop: http://www.autismsociety-nc.org/index.php/shop-asnc

This weekend in Goldsboro and the surrounding area:

~ April 7th Art Walk ! 4-8pm. Come to the Arts Council to pick up your map, and go explore your downtown and the local talent!

~ April 7th Flashlight Egg Hunt Nahunta Friends Church at 7pm Bring your own flashlight and basket or bag.

~ April 8th 9am 39th Greater Goldsboro Road Run. One of the oldest road run in North Carolina the Sunrise Kiawanis host the downtown tradition. Visit www.sunrisekiawnisonline.org

~ Diamonds in the Ruff Rescue adoption event April 8th 10-1pm Pet Supplies Plus 319 North Berkeley Blvd.

~ North Carolina Science Festival Wayne County Critter all Ages at the Public Library Saturday April 8th 2-3pm.

~ Real Murders Book Club will meet at the Wayne County Public Library from 4-pm. Free Information 919-735-1824

~ April 8 High Tea will be held at the Wayne County Museum at 2pm. Tickets are $20 a person. Information 919-734-5023

~ Cooking Chronicles Lemon Blueberry Biscuits programs will take place at Cliff of the Neuse State Park. Free. Information 919-778-6234

~ Silver Follies will be held at the Paramount Theatre at 6pm. Free

~ If you are interested in participating in The Farmers Market there will be a meeting held at WA Fosters April 12th at 11:00am.