As spring weather is arriving and campus is busy, take advantage of this time and spread the word about Alpha Xi Delta and Autism Speaks!

Let’s start with something simple. Wear your Alpha Xi Delta / Autism Speaks t-shirts on campus. Make an effort to wear those shirts once a week. This will give others the opportunity to notice Alpha Xi Delta’s partnership with Autism Speaks. While this is an easy, non-fundraising way to raise awareness, over time, people will begin to associate Alpha Xi Delta with Autism Speaks.

If you’re willing to put a little more effort into raising autism awareness, get out there and start educating others on autism! Before a sporting event, in the union or another popular spot on campus, set up a table and pass out autism fact cards or blue ribbons. Let people know that 1 in every 110 children is diagnosed with autism. Tell them that more boys are likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls. A lot of people might not know what autism is or how many people it affects. Setting up a booth to pass out information is a great way to promote our philanthropy on your campus and in your community. This is also a good way to spread the word about any upcoming philanthropy that your chapter is planning. Do you have an AmaXIng Challenge coming up or a Walk Now for Autism Speaks event nearby? Set up a table and spread the word!

Another good chapter activity is making autism awareness bracelets. This is a fun, easy project that your chapter can do as a Sisterhood activity. All you need is string, beads and the puzzle piece charm. Have everyone in your chapter make a bracelet and wear it on campus. When people notice the simple, yet elegant bracelet, they will ask about it. Take this opportunity and educate those who notice the bracelets about autism and how Alpha Xi Delta is helping to raise awareness and fight for a cure. If you like making bracelets have your chapter make extras and sell them on campus. Again, you can set up a table at a sporting event or on campus. All of the proceeds made from these puzzle piece charm bracelets will go to Autism Speaks.

Lastly, when World Autism Awareness Day rolls around in April, don’t just light your own house blue, but make it an effort to get the campus involved. Ask the Greek community at your school to help out and light their houses blue for autism awareness. You might even be able to get a few campus monuments lit up, too!

Now that you know these great ways to spread the word about Alpha Xi Delta and Autism speaks get out there and do it! Since 2009, we have raised more than $600,000 for Autism Speaks, but that’s still not enough, and we can do better! Remember why we listen.