BUCYRUS — For the tenth year in a row, the staff at Hymiler in Bucyrus is collecting donations for Austim Speaks.
Manager Tina Cass said she implemented the fundraiser a decade ago, but this year is the third since the gas station and convenience store has been part of Exxon Mobil.
“We like to do things that help the community as a way of giving back to the people who support us,” Cass said. “We like doing the fundraiser for Autism Speaks to help the children.”
A drawing for prizes took place Friday, April 26, as part of the fundraiser that is continuing until May 3.
The grand prize, four Cleveland Indians game tickets that were donated by North Central Ohio Media Group, which includes 1540AM/107.5FM WBCO and Q92.7 WQEL radio stations and Crawford County Now in Bucyrus, was won by Stephanee Borer.
Additional prizes were donated by area businesses, such as Tonya’s Hair Fashions, Anytime Fitness, Morning Glory Bakery, Norton’s Flowers and others.
Cass said about $900 of the staff’s $1,500 goal has been raised so far.
“We do it for the kids,” Cass said. “We care about kids with autism and want to raise awareness about autism.”
The money will be donated to Autism Speaks.
According to the foundation’s website, autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated one in 59 children in the United States today.
For more information, visit the Autism Speaks website. Hymiler is located at 600 S. Sandusky Ave., in Bucyrus.