Autism fundraiser is Saturday

Izzy Jennings had a wish — to give.
Now she’ll see that wish in action during Abby’s Wish on Aug. 27, a fundraiser to find a cure for autism.
Izzy, 9, told mom Beth Jennings that she wanted to make a donation to the Ronald McDonald House and Autism Speaks. She chose Ronald McDonald House because her family had stayed there when her younger sister Abby was born.
Abby, 7, has Asperger’s syndrome, a high-functioning type of autism.
“Even though it may be hard that she has autism, I love her death and she’s a great sister and I don’t know what I’d do without her,” Izzy said.  
She did extra chores at her grandmother’s house to raise money, which Izzy said was a lot of hard work.
Beth proudly posted her daughter’s decision on Facebook.
“I was proud of her,” Beth said. “I wanted everyone to know she came up with this all on her own.”
Friend Jennifer Duvall saw her post and came up with a bigger idea.  
Beth and Duvall grew up together; Beth lived in Anderson County for about 25 years, but now resides in Indiana, just outside of Chicago.
Duvall said she wanted do something for Beth and her daughters, and to show that even a child can change lives.
So in February, Duvall began to put together a fundraiser called Abby’s Wish — Speak out for Autism, named in honor of Abby.
 Now on Saturday, Aug. 27, the Jennings family will be able to see Izzy’s wish come to fruition.
“Everybody has put a lot of work into this,” Beth said. “Everybody’s working so hard. Izzy sees what she did touched people. They make her believe that what she did made a difference.”
Izzy is the official Director of Kids Activities, and she said she’s excited for the event.
“It makes me believe that you have a good heart, you’re very generous,” Izzy said about giving to charity. “It makes me feel good.”
The fundraiser will be held at Eagle Lake Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event includes kids activities, 14 vendors, a silent auction from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and entertainment. All proceeds of the fundraiser will go to Autism Speaks. For more information, visit http://www.abbys-wish.org/index.html.

Photo furnished

Pictured are the Jennings’ sisters, from left, Izzy, Abby and Emmy.