Betty Lehman, executive director of the Autism Society of Colorado, talks with Pam Friedentag, vice president of sales and marketing for Beau Jo’s Pizza Chain. The two groups have joined together for the “Opening Doors Program.”

Autism Society of Colorado Named Small Non-Profit of the Year

The Autism Society of Colorado (ASC) received it's greatest honor to-date on April 21st, 2010 at the Denver Chamber of Commerce’s Business Awards Luncheon – Small Non-Profit of the Year!  ASC spent months preparing and interviewing for this honor and was selected as a top finalist in January, 2010.

Nominees for the category of small non-profit of the year had to demonstrate dedication to the community, financially sound business practices and an operating budget of less than $750,000.

The nominations were reviewed by a volunteer committee and accounting sponsor Clifton Gunderson.  All finalists were present and the winners were not aware that they had been chosen until their name was called during the event.

“All of our winners share a commitment to business, their community and to Colorado,” said Kelly Brough, president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.

In her acceptance speech, Betty Lehman, Executive Director of ASC, recognized that the Center for Disease Control calls autism an epidemic, with 1 in 110 children being diagnosed.  This makes the work of the Autism Society of Colorado even more critical for the families of Colorado who are struggling to find resources and information to help their children pursue happy and healthy lives.