The Autism Society of Maine (ASM) is currently conducting our first Fall Annual Appeal. In these difficult economic times, ASM, like other nonprofits across our state and country, needs your support more than ever to fulfill our mission and continue the many programs that support Maine families impacted by autism.  A donation at this time would help ensure that ASM’s statewide programs and services continue to thrive, such as our Autism Information Specialist Program, our Family Retreat, Summer Camp, and the day-to-day assistance we offer to families in need of information and resources.

Also, we are pleased to share the news that we are joining with the Autism Society’s national headquarters (formerly known as the Autism Society of America) to offer our members a single, unified membership program. If you are a current ASM member, you will receive your membership renewal notice in January, 2010.  This opportunity provides you with some real advantages:

• We will be offering all of our current members one bundled price of $25 for a household membership to both the national Autism Society and our chapter: the Autism Society of Maine.
• ASM will no longer be charging a separate membership fee. Those whose ASM memberships expire between now and January will be exempted from renewing until January, with your current membership continuing until that time at no additional charge to you.
• You will continue to enjoy all of the chapter benefits you currently receive from ASM, including our newsletter Maine Autism Connections.
• You will also receive four issues of Autism Advocate, the journal published by our national organization.
• From now on, you will receive your membership renewal notifications only from our national office. Please pay attention to your mail and know that when you receive a letter from the Autism Society headquarters in January, it is your annual membership renewal for ASM as well. If you do not receive your renewal notice, please call us at 1-800-273-5200. New and existing members will also soon be able to join or renew via our website.

We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to join or renew your membership, which is very important to the fulfillment of our mission.

In the meantime, please take a moment today and provide a tax-deductible, direct donation to the Autism Society of Maine. A gift of $15, $25, or $50 or more will go a long way toward supporting ASM’s programs for the people of Maine.

Thank you for your loyal support.