Footprints Center for Autism holding A Blue Carpet Affair on April 29

News-Herald - 2/3/2023

Feb. 3—Footprints Center for Autism is gearing up for its fifth annual fundraising event and fashion show.

A Blue Carpet Affair will take place from 5 to 10 p.m.April 29 at Pine Ridge Country Club in Wickliffe.

The gala will consist of a dinner, music and dancing, a large basket raffle, and an inclusive fashion show featuring children of all abilities, a Footprints Center for Autism news release stated.

Tickets for A Blue Carpet Affair can be purchased by visiting the organization's website or by contacting Footprints Executive Director Erin Bolyard at 440-259-3726 or ebolyard@footprints-ohio.com.

Since the capacity for guests at this year's function is slightly smaller than in 2022, Bolyard is encouraging people to buy their tickets soon, before the event is sold out.

She added that the theme for this year's fashion show is "Shine Like Stars!"

Each child participating as a model will choose which celebrity or outstanding person that they want to portray, Bolyard said.

"It can be the main character of a book, TV show, or movie, or a famous person, or someone in their life they look up to, or it can even be themselves," she said. "Whichever 'star' they select, they can pick out an outfit that represents their star to wear down the runway."

All proceeds from A Blue Carpet Affair will support Footprints' mission "to provide comprehensive, collaborative and child-centered programming for individuals with autism in a positive and nonrestrictive learning environment, so that each child can reach their highest potential and achieve excellence in all aspects of life."

The event is called A Blue Carpet Affair because it has traditionally been scheduled around the same time as World Autism Month in April. People wear blue or illuminate blue light bulbs on their porches in April to increase awareness about autism, Bolyard said.

Footprints Center for Autism, based in Perry Village, opened in 2018. The organization provides special education and speech and occupational therapy for children with autism from throughout Northeast Ohio.

This year, Footprints is serving 30 students in day treatment and outpatient formats.

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