School Earns Matching Grant from The Sunshine Lady Foundation

Despite the Economy The Mariposa School Surpasses Fundraising Goal

Cary, N.C. (December 30, 2008) – The board of directors of the Mariposa School for Children with Autism is honored to announce the successful completion of its Take Flight Campaign which raised more than $107,000 to support a much needed expansion of student programs including early intervention programs that are so vital for youngsters challenged by autism.

In June, when The Sunshine Lady Foundation challenged The Mariposa School to raise $100,000 by December the school’s leaders were not sure they could reach that mark. After all, it would be the largest figure the school has raised in a single year, let alone in just a few short months. But The Sunshine Lady sweetened the offer, pledging to donate an additional $50,000 to sustain and expand the school’s programs serving children with autism and other disabilities if the school was successful.

“The goal represented a big stretch for us,” recalls Jacqueline Gottlieb, Mariposa’s Head of School, “a true challenge and a great opportunity at the same time. We had to give it our best effort. We are truly grateful to the many friends both new and old whose support helped us achieve this success.”

To see a video of the teachers & children saying "Thank YOU", click here.

The Best Christmas Gift: We Meet The Challenge!!!

Today we received the best holiday gift ever. We are officially over $100,000 and should receive an additional $5,000 from an anonymous donor for reaching our goal. We received a $1,500 grant this morning and a $9,000 grant around 11am!! We also received many contributions after Thanksgiving that helped us meet the goal.
Thanks to all of you who supported us and helped us get there!

A BIG THANK YOU FROM THE MARIPOSA SCHOOL Children, Teachers & Families.
And thank you to the Sunshine Lady Foundation for helping us.
Happy Holidays!

We're Getting Close to our Goal: Thanks!

Just a big shout out to all our blog visitors & readers. The school is getting close to its goal! Our Chili's night was complete success. Thanks to the many who turned out and offered their support. We also raised close to $5,000 from our gas raffle. With 20 days, left, we're firing on all cylinders to get to the $100,000 goal. Many friends of the school have come forward and sent in donations and made donations via the Internet. This is the best Christmas gift we could possibly hope for. Remember, your donations are tax deductible :)

Gifts can be sent to the Mariposa School, or made by using the Google Checkout link on the blog. Our volunteers have been wrapping gifts at Borders and doing other things in the community to help us reach the goal. Thank you one & all!

Dec. 4th: Chili's on Kildaire Farm Road Steps Up to Help Mariposa

We're having a special Mariposa School day at Chili's to help the school meet the challenge.

Chili’s restaurant on Kildaire Farm Road will give 10% of their sales to help the school on Dec. 4th from 11 am until 11 pm. When you go, just let the Chili's staff know you are from the Mariposa School. Parents, teachers and staff will be turning out throughout the day to help the school. For kids on special diets, Chili’s has a Gluten free menu .

If you're reading this, and you're looking for a place to have a great lunch or dinner on Dec. 4th, in Cary, NC, consider Chili's at 1388 Kildare Farm Road. Chili's offers cheap & cheerful dining with a great menu. And just by choosing Chili's you'll be helping the Mariposa School for Children with Autism. So take a break from the office, holiday shopping or cooking at home to have a meal at Chili's. If you're a fan of The Office TV show, you may remember that Michael (Steve Carrell) has held numerous events at Chili's. He has said on several shows that Chili's is the new office meeting place (more so than the golf course! ).

So head on out to Chili's for some Baby Back Ribs, Fajitas or other tasty delights. You'll be helping kids with every bite!

Check out NSync singing the wonders of Chili's.

Help us meet the Challenge. We need to raise $100,000 by December 31st and The Sunshine Lady Foundation will give the school an additional $50,000. The deadline has been extended until December 31, 2008!!! Choose Chili's on Dec. 4th.

Happy Thankgiving! The Fundraising Challenge Has Been Extended until 12/31

Oh Happy Day! Its the best Thanksgiving gift ever, Doris Buffett has extended our fundraising challenge until Dec. 31st. Hooray. This means the school has another 30 + days to meet the challenge. I knew that something was going to happen when Max Hall got involved and got out his fundraising thermometer. :) I mean, who can resist that boy ?

If you are looking for an end of year tax-deduction, consider giving a Tax-Deductible Contribution to help The Mariposa School for Children with Autism. Just use the Google checkout button here on the blog. There is still time to raise the 19k needed to meet the challenge & no donation is too small.

Also, please check out our new eBay Auctions page. We are auctioning two Yummi Glass Butterfly Pendants to help the kids. These pendants retail for close to $200.00. We are offering them for less on eBay to help the kids. They would make a great holiday gift. And everytime you wear it, you'd be helping children. Now, that's the best gift of all :)

Happy Thanksgiving from Max & all the children at Mariposa School.

One Week Left, 19K to Go, and We JUST Can't Be Maxed OUT!

With just 7 more days until Dec. 1, we feel like we just can't be Maxed out on our fundraising for Mariposa School! My adorable nephew, Max Hall, (pictured above) attends The Mariposa School for Children with Autism, where just about everything has been tried to raise money to meet a fundraising challenge. Doris Buffett, Warren Buffett's sister, and The Sunshine Lady Foundation issued a challenge to the school to raise $100,000 by December 1st and in return The Sunshine Lady Foundation would give the school an additional $50,000. The challenge was made in June 2008. By the end of July 2008, The Mariposa School held its first annual "Strike Out Autism Ballgame" with the Carolina Mudcats. In those few short months, the school has raised just over $81,000 - the most ever raised in a single year at the school!

Nevertheless, we are still short, and the deadline is fast approaching. For Max and the other students at the Mariposa School for Children with Autism, additional money means more programming opportunities not only for the students but for parents too. I visited the school today and my nephew came out of his classroom to give me a hug. Then I watched as he gave his mom a big hug & a kiss. Two years ago, I don't know if Max could've been so responsive to us in a social situation. Now his behavior is appropriate. He is able to greet his loved ones with affection. The Mariposa School has played a huge part in that.

If you are looking for an end of year tax deduction, and can find it in your heart to help these special kids this is a worthy charity. Please help Max's thermometer reach $100,000. Go to http://www.mariposaschool.org/ for more details or click here to give now.

To all of you who have helped us to date, a BIG THANK YOU. Your contributions are changing the lives of these kids. I see that change everytime I look in my little nephew's face and he makes eye contact with me. Thank you Mariposa School for your loving care & dedication to these kids.

MARIPOSA SCHOOL SEEKS SUPPORT--15 Days Left to Meet the Challenge

Cary, N.C. (November 14, 2008) -In August 2008, The Mariposa School for Children with Autism announced "Take Flight! The Campaign for The Mariposa School". The Cary school received an extremely exciting challenge grant from The Sunshine Lady Foundation. The Sunshine Lady Foundation is a charitable organization founded by Doris Buffett, the sister of billionaire Warren Buffett. Doris Buffett personally called Dr. Jacqueline Kilgus Gottlieb, Mariposa's Head of School, to communicate the challenge. The Sunshine Lady Foundation will donate $50,000 to the school if it can raise $100,000 by December 1, 2008. The funding will help support a much needed expansion of student programs including early intervention and social skills programs that are so vital for youngsters challenged by autism.
The Board of Directors, Staff, and Families have worked diligently to raise the money. In less than 4 months, The School has raised more than $70,000! One hundred percent of the Board and Staff have donated to the campaign. With just two weeks left in the challenge, the School is turning to the community for help. Gottlieb says the funding will help support a much needed expansion of programs and maintain the organization's stability in an unpredictable economy—ultimately continuing to provide high quality programming to children with autism. "We thank Ms. Buffett, her foundation and our local community for recognizing the value of this type of intensive instruction for children with autism."

To give online, click here.

If you and/or your organization are able to assist the school, please contact:
Dr. Jacqueline Gottlieb, Head of School
The Mariposa School
203 Gregson Drive
Cary, NC 27511
919-461-0600
info@mariposaschool.org

All donors will receive a letter documenting the contribution to be used for tax purposes.

The Mariposa School was founded in 2000 by a parent of a child with autism. It is a private non-profit school where all students receive one-on-one instruction based on the principles of verbal behavior. The mission of the school is to provide intensive instruction in a supportive environment designed to improve communication skills and therefore quality of life for children with autism and other developmental disabilities and their families. The Mariposa School is a regional leader in providing early intervention services and education to children with autism and other developmental disabilities. The school's goal is to build positive relationships among families, staff and the greater community to help each child achieve his/her maximum potential. For more information visit, http://www.mariposaschool.org/.

Related Links
http://www.mariposaschool.org/
http://www.youtube.com/AutismTakeFlight