John Heinz Institute Receives Grant from
Earthly Angels Autism Fund

From left: Michael O'Donnovan (Earthly Angels), Joshua (Pediatric Ambassador), Camille Seyer, Lori Cimino (John Heinz Institute), and Ron D'Eliseo (Chairman, Earthly Angels)

The John Heinz Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Wilkes-Barre Township, was recently awarded a $4,900 grant by the Earthly Angels Autism Fund of the Luzerne Foundation. The grant supports the purchase of computer software and technology as well as educational tools for children in therapeutic autism programs at the John Heinz Institute and affiliated outpatient centers in Hazleton and Berwick. Receiving the grant on behalf of the John Heinz Institute are Lori Cimino (speech therapist), Joshua Seyer (John Heinz Institute 2003 Pediatric Ambassador), and Joshua's mother, Camille.

Founded in 2001 by Ron and Brenda D'Eliseo, the Earthly Angels Autism Fund of the Luzerne Foundation serves to enhance public awareness of autism. Included in the Fund's fields of interest are providing funds to assist education and school based autism programs and supporting the development of treatment services for autistic children. This is the second grant the John Heinz Institute has received from the Earthly Angels Autism Fund. The Distant Thunder Motorcycle Club, based in Lackawanna County, donated a portion of the funding for this grant.