Karaoke at Tijuana Flats for a Good Cause

A good time for a good cause is around the corner, and organizers hope the community will come out and enjoy good food and fun.

A March 20 fundraiser from 5 to 9 p.m. at Tijuana Flats in Lutz to benefit Autism Speaks will feature a karaoke DJ and plenty of fun for the family.

Ten percent of your bill at the restaurant will be donated to the nonprofit organization.

Event organizers from the Wesley Chapel office of Behavioral Consulting of Tampa also will have information available on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for anyone interested in learning more, behavior therapist Sonya Wyman said.

"We work with children with autism from all over Pasco and Hillsborough counties," Wyman said. "By getting the word out we will be able to raise money for the cause and help all of our children."

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The local fundraiser precedes World Autism Awareness Day, which is April 2.

The nonprofit Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright, grandparents of a child with autism, according to the organization's website.

Autism Speaks since has grown into "the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families."

Behavioral Consulting of Tampa, the event's organizer, offers programs individualized for each child, according to its website.

"The philosophy of Behavioral Consulting of Tampa Bay, Inc. is that all children, regardless of their skill deficits, diagnosis or behavior, have the ability to learn skills and develop behaviors never thought possible if a quality behavior analysis program is implemented."

Can't attend or want to give more? The company also is accepting donations for Autism Speaks, Wyman said.

"We hope that we will get a great turn out," she said.

Tijuana Flats is located at 23100 State Road 54 in Lutz.