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The Autism Community in Action (TACA), a national nonprofit organization, surpassed its ambitious fundraising goal by raising over $1 million at their 16th annual Ante Up for Autism held on September 24, 2022, at The Waterfront Beach Resort in Huntington Beach, Calif. Funds were targeted to support the organization’s efforts to increase its capacity to address the rapid growth of families affected by autism.

“We never anticipated 1 in 24 four-year-olds in California would have autism. Or that over 250 families every day would hear the news that their child has autism. More than 700 new families request TACA support every month. Families are depending on TACA to have the extra capacity,” said TACA Executive Director and Co-Founder, Lisa Ackerman.

Major sponsors were Title Sponsor Ira Hermann, CLU, ChFC, and Capstone Partners, Financial & Insurance Services, LLC, Presenting Sponsors Sun West Mortgage Company, Inc. and Warne Foundation and Broadcast Presenting Sponsors Innate Healthcare Institute and Oldham Global.

The theme for the evening was “Hope for the Future” which was highlighted by the presentation of the TACA Hero Award to 10 exceptional young people diagnosed with autism and a musical performance by Jeff Ackerman the son of TACA co-founders Glen and Lisa Ackerman. Jeff was diagnosed with autism when he was 2 ½ years old and was given a bleak prognosis. Overcoming many challenges, he recently graduated from Concordia University Irvine earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.

“I realize in life as with autism everyone’s journey is different. Everyone has unique challenges to overcome. Some seem small, others large. But let me assure you that for myself and all my friends with autism the effort required for each accomplishment is significant and all are equal in importance,” said Jeff Ackerman

More than 350 people attended the event including long-time supporters, Kathryn Morris, Holly Robinson Peete, Joe Reitman, and Johnathon Schaech.

View the recording of the 48 minutes program at Ante Up For Autism 2022 – The Autism Community in Action (TACA) (tacanow.org)

About The Autism Community in Action (TACA)

The Autism Community in Action (TACA) is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2000 with the mission to provide education, support, and hope to families living with autism. Headquartered in Irvine, CA with staff and volunteers working across the country, TACA offers Coffee Talks – free educational meetings, webinars, a parent mentor program, an online Hope and Help support group, an annual National Autism Conference, and a free Autism Journey Guide given to newly diagnosed families. TACA has a strong social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. TACA annually serves more than 83,000 individuals living with autism and adds on average 700 new members every month. For more information visit www.tacanow.org