Autism is a baffling disorder causing severe, life-long difficulties with communication, social interaction and behaviors. It usually attacks children before the age of three, and devastates their lives and the lives of their family members. About half of those diagnosed will never learn to speak.

Until recently, the tragedy of autism was truly a rare occurrence, affecting only 1 in 10,000 children. Most were placed in institutions with no hope of a meaningful existence. During the last decade, the rate of autism has soared to epidemic levels. Currently autism affects 1 in 110 children in the United States. There are over 1.5 million cases of autism in this country alone, with a child being diagnosed every 20 minutes! Yet, despite these alarming statistics, autism remains severely underfunded.

P.A.R. For Kids’ Sake was born out of a single family’s experience. In 2002 Eric and Cindy Everson, parents of two autistic sons, founded P.A.R. For Kids’ Sake in an effort to help find a cure and the causes for Autism, as well as raise public awareness of this tragic disability that affected them so personally. They were soon joined by other parents and dedicated friends, all determined to reach the same goal. This golf tournament and banquet fundraiser has quickly grown into one of the most successful events in the Bay Area! The many generous sponsors and participants have steadily pushed the net proceeds from $35,000 in the first year to over $100,000 annually. In 8 years P.A.R. For Kids’ Sake has been able to donate over $650,000 to help in the search for a cure. The primary beneficiaries of the funds each year are the U.C. Davis M.I.N.D. Institute, the largest autism research facility in the world under one roof; the Exceptional Needs Network (ENN), a non-profit organization that provides overnight camps to children with disabilities and Special Education Teacher Grants for deserving teachers in the Bay Area and The School of Imagination, a non-profit education center providing educational, developmental and enrichment services to children with Special Needs.

2009 P.A.R. 4 Kids' Sake Committee: Cindy & Eric Everson, Jannet Borrmann, Mary-Lou & Steve Dennis, Dennis & Denise Colvin, Lisa Climent, Bill Evans, Denise Berube, John Matthias, Mike Kiley, Carolyn Zalewski, Mark Turgeon, Marlene Peacock,Vivian Climent, Charlie Chen, Bob Klotz and Keith Rodgers.