T-shirt sales benefit Aces for Autism

ECU Dowdy Student Stores and their vendor, Perfect Promotions & More of Apex, presented a check on May 21 for $2,250 to Aces for Autism, a not-for-profit treatment and educational center in Greenville.

The center provides doctor-prescribed therapies to help individuals with autism reach their full potential.

The money was raised through sales of Aces for Autism Pirate basketball T-shirts at Dowdy Student Store, the Health Sciences Bookstore and Minges Coliseum during basketball season.

The ECU Pirate basketball team has been involved in raising awareness of Aces for Autism programs.

“We are so grateful for this contribution,” said Kyle Robinson, board president of Aces for Autism. “We provide financial assistance to help with treatment for about 30 families right now, and this money will help support that effort.”

Clients of the program range from 16 months to 14 years of age, Robinson said.

Presenting the check were Dowdy Student Stores Director Bryan Tuten, Associate Store Director Bob Walker, Merchandise Manager John Palmer, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Business Services Kevin Carraway, and Perfect Promotions Vice President of Sales Stephen McFadden, who is an ECU alumnus. On hand to receive the check were Kyle Robinson, ECU basketball operations and Aces for Autism board president, Margaret Turner, Aces for Autism board treasurer, and Brian Overton, ECU director of player development.

Dowdy Student Stores are the university-owned and operated bookstores and sell shirts benefiting a variety of causes throughout the school year.

Past recipients have included organizations supporting childhood cancer, breast cancer, ALS, and campus military programs.

“I’m extremely grateful that our customers and Pirate Nation continue to step up and support these causes by buying these T-shirts that support such worthy local causes,” Tuten said.