Golf star, Ernie Els (Bears Club) and his philanthropy announced Tuesday, March 5 their plans to build a groundbreaking center for autism right here in Jupiter, Florida. What the foundation is calling “an epicenter for autism research, transition and treatment,” is going to deliver a tremendous amount to our society.
The Els Foundation have submitted the plans for the $30 million charter school in the Limestone Creek area of Jupiter. The center will focus on giving children, from 3 to 21 years old, the best quality of life when living with autism.
When the plans for the school were submitted to Palm Beach County, they included some great details. The school will rest on a 27-acre parcel located just north of Indiantown Road, east of I-95 and will feature a 100,000 square foot school and resource center equipped to care for 300 students with autism. Mary Kay Wilson, the tournament director for the Ernie Els Foundation stated, “Transition programs will be available to help students move forward to adulthood.” What makes this center unique is its combination of education, medical treatment with sports and activities programs. Having this variety of activities and treatments in one center is what it takes to deliver a life changing experience to children with autism and their families.
Els and his wife, Liezl, have been incredibly devoted to fundraising for autism research. Their son, Ben, was diagnosed with autism in 2008 and since then, they have dedicated their personal resources and energy to the cause. The new charter school available to all students in Palm Beach County. It will provide an interactive setting for those with autism from the first grade all the way through high school. A spokesperson from Autism Speaks commented on the subject of elementary through high school that it “will allow students to learn easier and be more comfortable.”
Local families and the town of Jupiter are very excited about the new center and what it will add to our community. Palm Beach County representatives are expecting the program to gain national and global acknowledgment. So far, the Els Foundation has raised $15 million ($6 million personally donated by the Els family). The charity is also hosting dozens of fundraising events to meet their $30 million goal this year. Els stated he expects to see “another $3 million raised this year from the golf events.”
Many of these golf benefits will be held in South Florida. The first event is the Golf Challenge series, which will be held at the Floridian in Palm City and begins April 2nd. The second event is to be held on April 29th in Doral and the grand finale will take place at Trump National (formerly known as Ritz Carlton). in Jupiter on September 30th. These are just a few of the local events the foundation is hosting here in Florida many of the others will be held across the nation.
Learn more about the events and cause at www.elsforautism.com.
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