What is Tropical Nights?

Tropical Nights Saturday, May 22, 2010 The InterContinental Miami Hotel "Tropical Nights" is your way to help those affected by autism and UM-NSU CARD. It is a fundraiser benefiting the programs, services and research initiatives of UM-NSU CARD. Our event is a festive celebration designed to raise awareness of autism while entertaining our guests with fine food, drinks, music, dancing, and acknowledging the tireless efforts of several important members of our community. For the ninth year in a row, the University of Miami was awarded with a top score for sound fiscal management by the Charity Navigator (one of the nation's leading independent charity evaluators). The university received this score because they have been able to efficiently manage and grow their finances, especially at a time of recession when many donors are requiring quantifiable results from the organizations they are supporting. Tropical Nights will take place on Saturday, May 22, 2010, at the InterContinental Miami. This year's honorees include Teresa Becerra, President of The Autism Society of Miami-Dade and Constituency Board member of UM-NSU CARD, and David Lawrence, South Florida's leading advocate for the rights of all children and their families, including the many South Florida children and families affected by autism. Since 2006/07, UM-NSU CARD has lost 17% of its budget but its constituency has grown by 30%. The loss of funding in the past year has been particularly challenging for CARD. We have lost staff and have also had to cut many of our community based programs, but Tropical Nights has sustained us through difficult times in the past and we hope to enjoy another successful event this year. The overwhelming success of Tropical Nights over the past seven years has allowed UM-NSU CARD to maintain its services during times of tremendous constituency growth, and for that, we are extremely grateful to our community and supporters. The money raised by Tropical Nights has allowed us to expand our services creating new programs such as: Opening of office in North Miami Beach at Nova Southeastern University Expansion of our Adult Services Division Advancing Futures for Adults with Autism - National Town Hall Meeting Summer Camps and Surfing Camps Social Skills Activity Groups Dream Team Baseball League Mobile Family Clinic Family Conference Scholarships Family Picnics InSync with Autism Concerts Graduate Student Stipends and Many More! We hope you will help us in our efforts to continue to support and expand our valuable services and programs. Please join us for a spectacular tropical-themed evening while we raise money for UM-NSU CARD and increase autism awareness.