St. Louis to Join Worldwide Lighting of Structures & Landmarks Blue
Autism Awareness Month will kick off on Friday April 1, 2016 in St. Louis with landmarks and structures in the region lit blue. The structures and landmarks will remain lit through Saturday April 2, 2016, which is World Autism Awareness Day. On April 1, 2016, the St. Louis Blues will also dedicated their game against Boston Bruins to autism awareness. The worldwide awareness campaign is coordinated by Autism Speaks. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism is diagnosed in one out of 68 children.
Among the structures and landmarks to be lit are:
- James S. McDonnell Planetarium in Forest Park
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local One union hall in South St. Louis
- Express Scripts in North St. Louis County
- The Magic House, Kirkwood
- Chesterfield Mall in Chesterfield, Mo.
- West County EMS & Fire, Ballwin, Mo.
- West County Shopping Center in Des Peres, Mo.
- Burns & McDonnell Engineering Consultants in Chesterfield, Mo.
- Knights of Columbus Development Center at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, St. Louis
- Shaw Park Plaza, Clayton, Mo.
- MilliporeSigma, South St. Louis
- Saint Louis Zoo, in Forest Park
- Peabody Plaza, downtown.
- University Fountains at Saint Louis University in Midtown St. Louis
- Civil Courts Building, downtown.
- 360 Hilton at the Ballpark, downtown.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters Building at 501 North Grand at Grand Center.
- Metro Lighting in Brentwood and Chesterfield.
- Peabody Opera House, downtown
- The Laclede Group at 700 Market, downtown
A gallery of beautifully lit structures in past years can be found at the St. Louis Chapter Autism Speaks Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153750884914115.1073741843.89272979114&type=1
In addition to lighting St. Louis blue, schools, businesses and civic organizations are being asked to encourage the wearing of blue clothing on or showcase the color blue in some way. To learn more on how to participate, visit www.lightitupblue.org or call the St. Louis Chapter of Autism Speaks at 314-989-1003.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. The CDC has called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown. For more information, visit www.autismspeaks.org.