Oyster 4 Autism gives 30% of your sale to the charity you choose. At checkout you will be prompted to choose from a number of participating charities (all the big ones) and many smaller charities, camps, classrooms, or projects that benefit Autism.
We have an online autism community and forum that we so our best to keep updated with new and relevant information. Please sign- up and share your stories, information and inspiration.
Together we can make a difference!
For all who ever benefit, Thank You.
Recent Press Release:
Oyster 4 Autism Launches Product Lines, Online Community
to Raise Awareness and Funds for Autism
New Organization Gives Back and Creates Win-Win for Autism Programs and CharitiesPhoenix, AZ (August, 2009) - Mesa, Arizona mother, Stacey Kirkland, knows the in-n-outs of Autism. Over the past 13 years, she has learned both difficult and wonderful lessons from her son, Quinn, who was diagnosed at age 3.
A massage therapist by day, Kirkland’s idea for Oyster 4 Autism came after a “shopping accident” at the Tucson Gem Show in 2006. With a love for arts, crafts, and making jewelry, there was a sale on fresh water pearls at the Gem Show that she couldn’t pass up. Normally a turquoise and silver gal, she bought thousands of pearls before she knew what to do with them.
After making a few pairs of earrings, she scolded herself for spending so much on the pearls. Shortly after, she awoke in the middle of the night with a start. The idea come to her to make pearl bracelets to raise money for Autism and spread a positive message of awareness and understanding through the sale of these genuine string pearl bracelets. The slogan became, “Be an Oyster for Autism!” because the oyster makes a pearl, and the pearl represents the potential of our autistic loved ones. The idea seemed especially fitting in light of Quinn’s deep connection to the beach, ocean and water.
For years, Quinn would hand his mom a pencil, pen or crayon and ask her to draw the beach- a wave, a palm tree, and the smiling sun. This combination of drawings that mom drew countless times for her son would become the basic template of the Oyster 4 Autism shirt designs.
Kirkland took some of her bracelets to the National ASA Autism Convention at The Westin Kierland in 2007. She had a very positive response, and on the way home from the convention that day, driving down Scottsdale Rd. to her home in Mesa, she saw a store called “Imports of Bali.” She had a thought… she didn’t have time to make as many bracelets as she needed to do a real fundraising effort, and she wondered if the people in the Bali store could point her in a better direction.
They could, and did. Imports of Bali was part of a larger non-profit who’s passion was “aid through trade.” They took one look at the bracelet and card, and said yes, they could help. There were plenty of artisans in Bali that did beautiful work with pearls, and in fact, there were many pearl farms close by in Indonesia. She couldn’t believe her luck.
Kirkland booked a trip to Bali, established relationships with local artisans, and two and a half weeks later she arrived back in Arizona armed with a stock of jewelry that would be the beginnings of her new venture. The product line now includes several different genuine string pearl bracelets worn by men and women alike, mother of pearl necklaces and light-hearted autism apparel, from t-shirts and hoodies, to onesies and beach bags. With over 60 autism apparel designs and a nice variety of bracelets and necklaces, Oyster offers something for any age and nearly every size.
A spiritual woman with an eternally sunny outlook, Kirkland has a passion to bring people together to share stories, resources and information while offering Autism charities the opportunity to raise money for their organizations. This is the very core of Oyster 4 Autism – to be both an online community for people to share with one another and a place for organizations, programs and charities for Autism-related disorders to raise money. Oyster 4 Autism donates 30% of all sales to the organization selected by the purchaser at the time of check out. Any organization or program that benefits Autism can sign up with Oyster 4 Autism and be one of the organizations to choose from. A $20 purchase will generate $6 for Autism. It adds up.
Kirkland seeks to create a win-win for everyone involved or touched by Autism and Autism-related disorders. “Quinn has been such a blessing to me, he has taught me so much,” say Kirkland. “I wanted to create a place for people to share their daily experiences, photos and information and also a place for organizations to benefit financially. Let’s take the politics out of it. We’re all working toward the same goal.”
For more information, please visit Oyster4Autism.com or by email at HYPERLINK “mailto:info@Oyster4Autism.com” info@Oyster4Autism.com
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“The Pearl is the POTENTIAL… Be an Oyster for Autism!”
We invite you to join us.
30% of company SALES goes directly to Benefit Autism.
Let this not be confused with a “Percentage of Profits”, (which after some creative accounting can amount to almost nothing).
This means that for example, $6 of every $20 shirt or product goes directly to Help Autism.
And what’s more, YOU CHOOSE where your donation goes. No Politics. No funny business.
Our Goal is not only to help raise money for Autism, but also to gain for our loved ones a much needed gentle air of understanding, and a better, kinder Autism Awareness.
Our lighthearted Autism Apparel designs go out into the community and soften hearts and minds.
The donations they generate improve the lives and families of those living with Autism.
In our Autism Forum, you will find valuable information, and hopefully, answers to your questions.
When you join our Autism Community you will meet other families, share experiences and successes, and find voices of support and friendship.
Our Autism Shirts and Apparel are gaining popularity even among the typical population, and our beautiful Oyster 4 Autism Jewelry line is being showcased at The Alvadora Spa Boutique, at The Royal Palms Hotel and Spa, rated #1 Hotel in Arizona 2008, by Travel+Leisure Magazine Top 500 “Worlds Best Hotels.”
This absolutely Beautiful Jewelry Line has many pieces that are designed for men an women alike and all have an inspirational message.
They make wonderful gifts for all occasions.
Feel good about giving the the gift that gives back.
YOU are an Oyster for Autism!