2015 Spurwink Humanitarian Event Honors Autism Awareness Champions That Go the Distance

    PORTLAND, ME, September 16, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Spurwink Services will hold its annual Humanitarian Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Saturday, November 14, from 6-10 pm, at the Portland Marriott at Sable Oaks in South Portland, Maine. This charitable gala--themed going the distance for people with autism-- will raise awareness about autism and celebrate Spurwink's role as a primary resource and support provider for families dealing with autism.

"While this year's Spurwink Humanitarian event continues our long tradition of honoring true humanitarians, we've added a mission-related theme to underline the complexity of need in our state and the diversity of support our organization provides," explains Spurwink President and CEO Eric Meyer, LCSW, MBA. "This fundraiser not only supports our ongoing programs across Maine, it also brings us closer to opening a new Spurwink Center for Autism."

The Award Ceremony honorees will be the THE VOLK FAMILY:

Derek Volk, who has recently written a book titled "Chasing the Rabbit: A Dad's Life Raising a Son on the Autism Spectrum," is a Maine businessman, supporter of autism awareness, volunteer, philanthropist, and softball coach. He is president and co-owner of Volk Packaging Corporation, a third-generation family-owned corrugated box manufacturer in Biddeford, Maine. Derek actively participates on the Maine Business Leadership Network (BLN), a national organization that focuses on connecting employers with employees who have disabilities. His own company currently employs those who are deaf, blind and on the Autism Spectrum.

Amy Volk is the State Senator for District 30, which includes most of Buxton, most of Scarborough, and all of Gorham. Prior to being elected to the Senate, she served two terms in the Maine House as the Representative for House District 127, coastal Scarborough. Amy works passionately for human rights in Maine - advocating for asylum-seeking immigrants and human trafficking victims. She sponsored a bill to fight human trafficking that was signed in 2014 and works tirelessly on finding ways that immigrants can be supported, contribute to the state's workforce, and help invest in the future of Maine. This past session, Amy also strengthened lead paint laws, lowered the threshold at which children are considered poisoned and found funding for increased abatement of lead-contaminated buildings.

An aspiring comedian, Dylan Volk was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism, at the age of 8. Dylan has also joined his father, Derek, in speaking publicly about autism and how Dylan's diagnosis and struggles have affected each of them individually, as well as their father-son relationship. He also has contributed to his father's book.

While attending Eastern University, Mariah Volk participates in a prison ministry program with a focus on incarcerated youth called Shining Light. She has been serving in jails and prisons from Maine to Pennsylvania since she was in high school, and is passionate about bettering the lives of people behind bars.

Lilly and Serena Volk both assist in their church's Sunday school programs and actively reach out to support peers who are left out of social circles at school. Lilly raises money for human trafficking victims.

For more information visit http://www.spurwink.org/humanitarian.

Spurwink Services is a nationally accredited non-profit organization that provides a broad range of mental health and educational services for children, adolescents, adults and families. Standing on a strong foundation of 50 years, Spurwink is among a handful of mental health agencies that engage in setting the standard for continuous quality management.

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