San Antonio Autism Lions Foundation & Club

08/22/2026

♻️ How Recycling Your Eyeglasses Helps the Autism Community

Most people don’t realize that a simple act — donating your used eyeglasses — can make a real difference in the lives of an individual with autism. Vision challenges often go unnoticed, yet they can affect learning, communication, behavior, and daily comfort. When you recycle your eyeglasses through Lions Clubs, you’re doing far more than clearing out a drawer. You’re helping remove barriers.

Why Eyeglass Recycling Matters for an Individual with Autism

Clearer vision supports communication.
Many individuals with autism rely heavily on visual cues. Corrective lenses can make it easier to interpret facial expressions, follow routines, and engage with the world.

Better vision reduces frustration and sensory overload.

Uncorrected vision issues can intensify sensory challenges. Glasses can help reduce headaches, squinting, and visual strain that may lead to overwhelm or withdrawal.

Access matters — especially for families with high care costs.
Autism‑related therapies and supports can be expensive. Free or low‑cost recycled eyeglasses help families meet essential needs without added financial stress.

Supports inclusion and independence.

Clear vision helps individuals with autism participate more confidently in school, community programs, and daily activities — building independence and self‑advocacy.

Your Donation Has a Direct Impact

When you donate your used eyeglasses through Lions Clubs, they are cleaned, sorted, and matched to individuals who need them. Many of these glasses go to individuals with autism who otherwise might not have access to affordable vision support.

It’s a small act with a big ripple effect — improving learning, comfort, and connection.

How You Can Help Today

Gather your unused eyeglasses (prescription, readers, sunglasses).

Drop them off at a Lions Club collection site or mail them using the attached FREE MATTER FOR THE BLIND OR HANDICAPPED label.

Share this message to encourage others to donate.

Together, we can make the world clearer — one pair of glasses at a time.

08/21/2026

🦁💙 MEET THE TEAM: Spotlighting Our Membership Director! 💙🦁

We are so excited to continue our team spotlight series so please give a huge, warm welcome to Emerald Alspach!

Emerald serves as the Membership Director for the San Antonio Autism Lions Foundation & Club, and she plays a crucial role in building the heart of our organization: our people!

Emerald is deeply passionate about:
✨Growing Our Lion Family: Expanding our reach by bringing in compassionate, driven community members.
✨Welcoming New Voices: Connecting with new members who share our core mission, vision, and values.
✨Serving the Community: Fostering a dedicated team committed to serving individuals with autism and their families.

Thank you, Emerald, for your dedication to "Serving It Up!" and helping our club grow stronger every day so we can continue our vital work to serve the autism community.

Let’s give Emerald a warm welcome in the comments below! 👇

08/21/2026

https://www.uhccf.org

🌟 Helping Kids, Changing Lives — A Resource Every Family Should Know About

Every child deserves access to the care, therapies, and medical support that help them thrive — and the UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) is making that possible for families across the country.

UHCCF provides medical grants to help cover expenses that commercial insurance doesn’t fully pay for. These grants have already changed the lives of more than 45,000 children, with a goal of reaching 50,000 by 2030. That’s real impact, real hope, and real support for families who need it most.

From mobility equipment to therapies to specialized care, UHCCF grants allow parents to focus on what truly matters: their child’s well-being.

If you know a family who could benefit, share this resource. A single grant can open doors, ease burdens, and create possibilities.

Discover how UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation helps kids and changes lives through medical grants. Apply for a grant or donate today.

08/21/2026

🎉 RAFFLE ANNOUNCEMENT – AUGUST SENSORY JUMP AROUND! 🎉

We’re excited to announce that we will be raffling THREE awesome prizes at our August Sensory Jump Around — and one of them is Two Fast Pass Tickets to the 13th Floor Haunted House San Antonio 2026!

👻 About the Prize
Experience the world‑famous 13th Floor Haunted House, San Antonio’s ultimate Halloween event. Halloween lives here!

🎟️ Fast Pass Ticket Benefits:
• Skip the long lines — Fast Pass is approximately 1/3 the wait of General Admission
• Admission into all haunted house attractions
• Valid for the Fall Halloween 2026 Season
• Check the 13th Floor Haunted House website for exact valid dates

This is the perfect prize for thrill‑seekers and Halloween lovers. Join us for a fun, sensory‑friendly event — and you might walk away with one of these exciting prizes. 🎁💙

MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN!

Register for the event using the link below:
https://forms.gle/vc5DtyutQn3jhbYf7

08/20/2026

🌟 MEET THE TEAM: STEPHANIE WEST! 🌟

We’re excited to shine the spotlight on Stephanie West, our Director of Community Resources! 💜🧡

Stephanie is passionate about connecting our autism community with the resources, support, and opportunities they need to thrive. Her dedication to serving families and building meaningful connections is an important part of what makes our organization stronger.

As we continue to grow, our team is committed to making sure families know they are seen, supported, connected, and never alone. 🦁💙

Help us give Stephanie a big ROAR! 🦁👏 and thank her for saying YES to serving our community!

💜 WE SERVE! WE ROAR! 🧡

08/20/2026

Join us for our August Sensory Jump Around!
PLUS YOU WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN SOME AMAZING PRIZES!!!

**Event Details:**
- **Date:** Sunday, August 30, 2026
- **Time:** 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- **Location:** Altitude Trampoline Park, San Antonio
- **Experience:** ACTIVE • FAMILY • FUN

**Why You Should Attend:**
- Enjoy a fantastic time with family and friends while jumping to your heart’s content!
- The cost is just $13.99 for jumpers and $10.99 for parents. Parents only pay if they jump —a great value for a day filled with fun.
- Plus, you won’t want to miss our 3 exciting raffle giveaways!

**Don’t wait! Registration is required: [Sign Up Here](https://forms.gle/8ZhAJuhCq9oWnFsU9)**

We truly hope to see you there! If you have any questions or need more information, feel free to ask below. Let’s make some wonderful memories together! 🎈

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For more information about our organization:
www.saautismlionsclub.org

08/20/2026

🎉 RAFFLE ANNOUNCEMENT – AUGUST SENSORY JUMP AROUND! 🎉

We’re excited to share that we will be raffling THREE amazing prizes at our August Sensory Jump Around — and one of them is a Core 5 Membership to the Perot Musuem of Nature and Science!

🌟 Core 5 Membership Highlights
Enjoy a full year of exploration with unlimited general admission for five people (ages 2+), plus exclusive perks that make every visit even more memorable.

✨ Membership Benefits Include:
• One year of free general admission to all 11 permanent exhibit halls for up to 5 people
• Access to members‑only hours every Sunday from 10–11am
• $5 Museum parking*
• 10% off purchases at the Café and Museum Shop
• Reciprocal admission to hundreds of science museums through the ASTC Passport Program*

This is an incredible opportunity for families — and it could be yours just by attending our Sensory Jump Around!

Come jump, play, and connect with our community… and maybe walk away with one of these fantastic prizes. 🎁💙

YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN

REGISTER TO ATTEND USING THIS LINK
https://forms.gle/2fRUwV4hUFkCwV1D7

08/19/2026

Meet Our Founder & President

Cherrica Dredden is a passionate autism advocate, mother, educator, author, and nonprofit leader dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for individuals with autism and their families.

As the Founder and President of the San Antonio Autism Lions Club and the San Antonio Autism Lions Foundation, Cherrica has turned her passion for advocacy into action helping to build programs, partnerships, resources, and community initiatives designed to support families and empower individuals with autism.

Cherrica is a mom who understands firsthand the joys, challenges, hopes, and fears that come with raising children on the autism spectrum. That personal experience fuels her commitment to making sure families know they are seen, heard, supported, and never alone.

Her heart for service is simple:

🦁 Serve with purpose.
🦁 Advocate with courage.
🦁 Create opportunities.
🦁 Build a stronger community for families affected by autism.

Please join us in welcoming and getting to know the woman behind the mission!

Cherrica Dredden — Founder. Advocate. Mom. Servant Leader.

🦁 WE SERVE! WE ROAR! 💙

08/19/2026

🎉 RAFFLE ANNOUNCEMENT – AUGUST SENSORY JUMP AROUND! 🎉

We’re excited to share that we will be raffling THREE great prizes at our August Sensory Jump Around — and one of them is a $50 Voucher toward a Great Room Escape Experience!

🔐 About the Prize
Enjoy an immersive, interactive adventure at Great Room Escape, where you and your group work together to solve puzzles, uncover clues, and beat the clock. It’s a fun, high‑energy experience perfect for families, friends, or team outings.

🎟️ Voucher Details:
• $50 toward any Great Room Escape experience
• Valid for any available themed escape room
• Great for groups, families, or sensory‑friendly outings
• Visit the Great Room Escape website for available rooms and booking information

Join us for a fun, sensory‑friendly event — and you might walk away with one of these exciting prizes. 🎁💙

MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN!

Register for the event using the link below:
https://forms.gle/vc5DtyutQn3jhbYf7

08/18/2026

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