A new event will be coming to Poplar Bluff Saturday, Sept. 16, to better educate the area on autism and acceptance of all disabilities.
Autism Awareness & Acceptance Day will be filled with lots to do and learn beginning at 10 a.m. and running until 3 p.m. at the Poplar Bluff Elks Lodge 2452.
"After the initial diagnosis of a child with autism, parents just don't know what to do next," Kelly Fields said.
Fields has been in the same situation. Her 12-year-old daughter has been diagnosed with autism among other disabilities.
After attending similar events in other areas, Fields wanted to bring an event to Poplar Bluff to help other parents and families, so she recruited the help of her friend, Laura Weible.
In April, Fields and Weible began planning the event by fundraising, collecting donations and securing organizations to attend and supply information at the event.
Free meal tickets will be distributed upon arrival to event, which is also free. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Several organizations are scheduled to be in attendance to provide information including Easter Seals, Independent Living Center, Department of Mental Health and more.
In coordination with SEMO Con, several DC and Marvel characters will be stopping by Autism Awareness & Acceptance Day for photo opportunities.
On hand will be several vehicles for attendants to see up close from the Poplar Bluff Police Department, Butler County EMS, Poplar Bluff Fire Department, Air Evac and the SEMO Explorer Bus.
MoCHIP will also be available for free child identification kits by the Missouri Freemasons and their sponsors.
Parents or guardians will receive photos of the child, fingerprints, child information and emergency contacts compatible with the format required by the Amber Alert program in the event the child was reported missing.
Dental impressions are also included in the kit, but Fields said a dentist is still needed to volunteer for the day.
Two forms, a permission form and information collection sheet, must be filled out before the MoCHIP kit is made. To speed up wait times, parents are encouraged to print and complete these forms at home if possible. They can be found at mochip.org/resources.
According to Fields, door prizes, raffles, face painting, a photo booth and carnival games will be available as well to provide a day of fun for everyone.
Fields stressed the event is not only for people with autism, but everyone.
"We want to share acceptance," she said.
In efforts to begin raising money to make Autism Awareness & Acceptance Day an annual event, autism items will be available for purchase.
Interested volunteers for the day can contact Fields through the Facebook page, Autism Awareness & Acceptance Day.
As a way to bring people together from similar situations, Fields said information for a children's play group and adult social group will also be available at the event. During this time, Fields said children and parents will be able to be around others who understand what they are going through.
"I know how hard it is for me in my life," Fields said. "I want to help people."