Silent auction to benefit local autism services

“An Evening at the XYZ Gallery: Giving a Voice to Autism” will be held Wednesday, May 3 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the XYZ Gallery at 223 North Main Street in Blacksburg. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Virginia Tech Autism Clinic, the Radford University Autism Center, and the Blue Ridge Autism Center.

The evening includes a light dinner, entertainment, and a silent auction of gift certificates to local restaurants and stores, artwork, and home décor items.

“Approximately half of all children with autism are nonverbal,” said Angela Scarpa, associate professor of psychology at Virginia Tech and director of the university’s autism clinic. “So a primary service we provide is to help promote their speech and use their language more effectively.”

Tickets are $10 per person; $5 for students and are available in advance at autism@vt.edu or at the door. For more information, contact Scarpa at autism@vt.edu.