Bikers hit the streets for autistic kids

Aut-2-Be-Kids volunteer Debbie Allison helps get contestants registered for the fundraising poker run Saturday. (T-G Photo by Mary Reeves) [Order this photo]

"Oh, they all know," said Leta Frame, laughing, in a rare moment of peace Saturday morning. "We told them they were coming!"

The bikers, individuals and clubs, were there for a poker run -- a fundraising event that would pay for the Aut-2-be-Kids summer camp. As soon as the riders registered, they headed out, stopping at various points along the way to pick up playing cards they "bought." When they got back around noon, the best poker hand won the grand prize, which included leather a Harley-Davidson saddlebag. The worst hand also got a prize -- a slightly smaller saddlebag.

But there were no losers Saturday.

'Great' day

"It was great," said one rider. "Great weather, great fun, a great cause."

"We raised about $2,000," said Frame, the Bedford County contact for the Autism Society of Middle Tennessee and founder of the Autism support group ACT and Aut-2-Be-Kids. "That will cover summer camp and probably two more summer programs also. Summer camp cost us $1,100 last year. Of course, things are more expensive this year and we are going to try to reach out to a few more children, but this should cover us. We know how to stretch a dollar! We're blessed with so many volunteers. If we had to pay our staff, that would be it."

Frame had prepared for about 150 people to attend. Once she figured in the volunteers and kids, as well as the riders and members of the public who stopped by, her estimation proved to be dead on the money.

"We certainly reached that goal," she said. "I can tell by the amount of food we cooked!"

Activities abound

Some of the money was raised at the silent auction, which included donations from many area industries, including Sanford, Designz By You, George Dickel and Jack Daniel. The items included everything from a basketful of Prismacolors to a portable smoker grill.

The day included activities for the children, live music with "Prime Time," hotdogs and barbecue, and an information kiosk about autism.

"He's written his own book," said Karen Hegwood, there with her autistic son, Jessie, looking over the brochures. From Tullahoma, Hegwood was interested in the Au-2-Be-Kids program.

'Not fun being different'

"In Tullahoma, all they want to do is talk about what causes it -- environment or vaccinations. I just want him to have something to do. He wants people to quit making fun of him; he wants people to understand it's not fun being different."

That was the idea behind the formation of Aut-2-Be-Kids, said Frame in an earlier interview. The children meet and do learning, fun activities in an understanding atmosphere. At summer camp, there are more activities and opportunities for the children. Since no one is charged to attend the camp, the fundraising is that much more important, she said.

Fundraiser ahead

"We still have our yard sale coming up," said Frame. "Last year, we made $1,200 and I'm expecting even more this year because we've gotten so much more stuff donated."

The yard sale will be May 15 and 16 at 1307 Wesley St.

The poker run got good feedback from the kids, the riders and the volunteers.

"The response has been great," said Frame. "We had one couple come all the way from Alabama to ride because of the word 'autism.' They have a grandchild who is autistic. It's been a beautiful day, God blessed us with that."

"It's a credit to Leta," said Jeanne Edwards, a mother of autistic children who was volunteering at the event. "Everyone's been talking about how well organized it is. And the response from the donors for the silent auction has been amazing."

What's next

There will be a fundraising yard sale May 15 and 16 at 1307 Wesley St.