The women of Alpha Xi Delta sorority are hosting the first AmaXIng Challenge, an event which will benefit Autism Speaks, the nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization.
The event will promote awareness of the disorder within the community.
The challenge, which is a one-mile walk or a five km run, will take place 11 a.m. Oct. 8 at Ogletree Village in Auburn.
The Auburn sisters will be one of three Alpha Xi Delta chapters from across the state to put on the event.
The other chapters are from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Jacksonville State.
Autism Speaks was not the sorority's national philanthropy until 2009.
Statistics from the Autism Speaks website state that autism affects one in 110 children, with rates higher among boys.
"With numbers like that, you are going to know someone in your life that is affected by autism," said Erin McCreary, junior in psychology and president of Alpha Xi Delta. "That's kind of why we call it the AmaXIng challenge, to really challenge people to look around them and relate to their community."
McCreary, whose brother was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism, three years ago, said the event is significant and personal to her.
She said she is excited to see so much support from the University, other Greek organizations and the community.
Alpha Xi Delta already has more than 500 participants signed up for this weekend's event.
Registration will remain open until the event begins Sunday,
"Our partnership with Autism Speaks has allowed us both as a sorority and as individuals to make a life-long impact on the lives of children affected by autism in the Auburn community as well as all over the country," said Brittany Henderson, junior in political science. "Knowing this gives me an incredible feeling of pride in each and every one of my sisters every day."
While the AmaXIng Challenge will be the first event for the sorority, members have begun making a difference in the Auburn community by helping out at Little Tree Preschool, where they offer their time and friendship to kids with special needs, many of whom have autism.
The Little Tree Preschool will join Alpha Xi Delta at the event.
Other attendees will include members from the Lee County autism support group, Auburn autism advocate group and representatives from the psychology department who have been researching disorders within the autism spectrum.
As this project is in its first year, McCreary said she is glad to see the excitement and attention her sorority is giving this cause.
Everyone from freshmen to seniors are pitching in, McCreary said.
"I love our philanthropy because we are so involved with the Auburn autism community, and we get to see the faces of the people we work so hard for," said Brooke Molnar, sophomore in special education. "We are extremely hands-on."
While McCreary and her sisters said they are happy with the response the community has shown thus far, she stresses how important this issue is today.
"It's not just about raising money--it's about raising awareness so people can be informed and catch these cases early on so children can get the help they need," McCreary said.
Autism Speaks was founded in 2005 by grandparents of an autistic child.
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