Corner Pieces, the Sault Ste. Marie-based organization dedicated to raising autism awareness throughout Michigan, hosted a golf fundraiser on Sunday, June 3.

The event was held at the Prairie Creek golf course in DeWitt, just outside the state capital of Lansing. The event included 18 holes of golf, dinner, and a silent auction with hundreds of dollars in sports memorabilia. Michigan State University’s mascot, Sparty, was on hand to take photos with the golfers.

The outing was primarily sponsored by The Autism Alliance of Michigan (www.autismallianceofmichigan.org), with additional support received from Hurley Medical Center in Flint. Items for the silent auction were donated by the Ted Lindsay Foundation and Zehnders Restaurant, as well as Detroit rocker Ted Nugent, ret. U.S. General Tommy Franks, Former Michigan State Football Co-Captain Brian Mossallam, Awarding winning actress Kate Winslet, Macy’s, Hyatt Place, and current Michigan Lt. Governor Brian Calley. Buffalo Wild Wings, which had a booth set up on the golf course, also gave away prizes during the outing. Handmade in Detroit also provide custom handmade Autism awareness pins for each golfer.

One of the highlights of the event was the iPad giveaway, where Corner Pieces presented free devices to two autistic boys, Taven, 3, and Nathan, 19. While hardly considered to be a “miracle” cure, iPad technology has become more widely accepted in recent years as an effective tool used to enhance the social, language, and motor skill development in many autistic children.

The event raised more than $3,000, which Corner Pieces will use to further autism education and research, as well as outreach to local families affected by autism. To learn more about Corner Pieces and its work within Michigan’s autistic community, visit www.cornerpieces.org.