Evening of Hope Raises $190,000 to Support The Scott Center for Autism Treatment

MELBOURNE, FLA.—About 250 people attended An Evening of Hope IV, which brought in $190,000 to support The Scott Center for Autism Treatment at Florida Institute of Technology. The event was held recently at the Melbourne home of Florida Tech Board of Trustee member Joe Flammio, a center benefactor.

“We raised the funds through sponsorships, an auction and a Rolex watch raffle. People responded extremely generously to all these efforts,” said Colleen Middlebrooks, outreach coordinator for the center.

The Rolex, an Oyster Perpetual Explorer II men’s watch, was valued at $6,325 and donated by Kempf’s Jewelers.

Funds raised from this year’s Evening of Hope will benefit the center’s pediatric feeding program and to offset the operational costs of The Scott Center.

Patent Attorney Mark Malek of Zies Widerman and Malek was the event committee chair. Creative Catering provided the food; wine came from Casbah Wines; beer was donated by the Florida Beer Co.; and desserts were by Emi Mae’s Cakes and Goodies.

Opened in October 2009, the center provides treatment, education and training for persons with autism spectrum disorders and their families from Brevard, Indian River, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties. The center implements research-based practices, partners with schools and families and collaborates with other professionals.
The center’s website is www.thescottcenter.org.

PHOTO: From left, Mark Malek of Zies Widerman and Malek; Sara Catanese, Florida Tech President Anthony J. Catanese; and Colleen Middlebrooks, outreach coordinator, The Scott Center for Autism Treatment.