LYNCHBURG, Va. – As part of its Autism Awareness campaign, the Randolph College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) has partnered with Zach Speaks Inc., a local non-profit organization that helps pay for therapy services for families with autistic children.

"This year we chose to raise awareness for autism because NCAA Division III athletics has a partnership with the Special Olympics, as well as the fact that there are people in the community around us who are on the spectrum," explained SAAC President Jordyn Knapp.

Zach Speaks Inc. is named after founder Lauren Blundell's son, Zach Blundell, who was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder when he was 2 1/2. The mission of this non-profit organization has been to provide children who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder the opportunity to obtain therapy that their family could not otherwise afford. 

Through donations, Zach Speaks Inc. is able to provide three consecutive months of speech or occupational therapy for individuals diagnosed with autism between the ages of 3 to 18.

Throughout the month of October, men's soccer, women's soccer and volleyball will each host an Autism Awareness game, starting with men's soccer's match up with Washington and Lee University on Oct. 4. Prior to the start of the match, the team will inaugurate Zach as an honorary member. The Autism Awareness games for volleyball and women's soccer will be held on Oct. 5 against Ferrum and Oct. 11 against Guilford, respectively. 

To learn more about Zach Speaks Inc., please visit http://zachspeaksinc.org