Joshua Steals Show at 2010 Junta42 Golf for Autism

By Joe Pulizzi | Published: August 20, 2010

The 4th Annual Junta42 Golf for Autism on August 16th at the beautiful Acacia Country Club was indeed special this year.

Yes, we had more golfers this year. Yes, we had more sponsors this year. To date, we’ve raised almost $50,000 to support the Easter Seals Northern Ohio autism services (setting a record this year). So many people to thank. So many (see below).

But without a doubt, Joshua stole the show. This year, Joshua told his story. The video says it all. Transcript is below.

My name is Joshua Pulizzi and I am eight years old, almost nine. Thanks for coming to the Junta42 Golf for Autism. My mom and dad realized that when I was 18 months old that I was doing things a little different than the other kids. At age two I was diagnosed with autism. I had to receive speech therapy in order to talk. I had to have lots of people come to my house to help me learn to play. I also had someone to help me strengthen my muscles and help me not flap my hands so much.

Now I am going into the third grade at St. Mark’s School. I LOVE LEGOs and playing with my brother Adam. I want to be a master builder for LEGO or an engineer when I grow up. Thank you again for being here, and helping other kids with autism. If they get lots of help like I did when they are little, their chances of success are awesome.

Special thanks to Todd Sheppard for the video.

If you would like to be a part of this effort, join our Facebook Causes page here. You can also donate at that location. All proceeds go to the Easter Seals to help kids just like Joshua. You can also send donations directly to:

Junta42 Golf for Autism

3317 W 155th St.

Cleveland, OH 44111

To see all the pictures from the event, see our Flickr page here.

Special thanks to our major sponsors this year: GIE Media, Petco, Cleveland Steel Container and Foster Printing Service. Our hole sponsors: North American Publishing, PR 20/20, T3 Publishing, OpenView Venture Partners, Interact Media, Talefoundry, SocialTract, Linn Communications, D Custom, Totem Brand Stories, Execution Matters, Ascend Integrated Media, Kevin and Lee Ann Lednik, Sue Hoffman, Mike and Michelle Pistillo and Jim and Laurel Clarke.

And a very special thanks to our volunteers: Mike and Lynne Pistillo, Joe and Pam Pulizzi, Lisa Francisco, Michelle Pistillo, Laurel Clarke, Angela Vannucci, Beth Brinton Orlando, Christy Barksdale, Christina Capadona-Schmitz, Barb Schmitz, Megan Spencer, Joe Kalinowski, Brianne Haddox – Billboard Connections (signage) and Duke Printing (programs).

And of course, a very special thank you to Joshua and Adam Pulizzi.

See all our sponsors on the Junta42 Golf for Autism page.

For more information about how to get involved in this event, feel free to contact me directly at joe[at]junta42.com.