MAUMEE, OH (Toledo News Now) - One of the largest music events in the area is happening on Sunday. Over 30 bands will be performing on three stages for a good cause.
Acoustics for Autism is a 14-hour event that raises money for local families. There will be raffles and auctions in addition to the music.
"We started this event because there was a need in the community for families affected by autism spectrum disorders," said Nicole Khoury. "They don't have the financial means to possibly get their diagnosis as well as their treatments and therapies for autism."
The event is organized by Khoury, of "Project iAm." All the money raised stays in the community. Over the last six years, Project iAm has been able to award $40,000 worth of scholarships to families affected by autism. The scholarships cover what insurance doesn't.
"There's no other source out there," Khoury said. "So when … I'm giving someone a scholarship for maybe $1,000 and to me, it's like, 'I wish I could give more!' To them, that's, 'Oh my gosh, these people gave me $1,000!'"
The Village Idiot, Buster Browns and a heated tent will host the event on Sunday from noon until 2 a.m. in Maumee. Khoury says it's a lot to plan, but it's all worth it.
"There's that one kid that maybe has never had social contact with anybody before and then shows up to the event and is sitting there watching the musician and their attention is grabbed the whole time, and they might walk up to me and give me a hug," she said. "That's something that I've had parents tell me, 'My child hasn't hugged me and they just hugged you!' Those are things that – that's the whole reason it makes it all worth it."
Visit the Acoustics for Autism website for more information.
