In celebration of the Philadelphia Eagles’ 27th postseason berth and 11th NFC East divisional crown, the Eagles Autism Foundation is excited to announce the first matching gift drive of 2020 for new and existing participants of the Eagles Autism Challenge presented by Lincoln Financial Group. The $25,000 matching gift has been made possible thanks to the Yass family, lifelong Eagles fans and passionate supporters of the Eagles Autism Foundation.
The Yass Family Wild Card Playoff Matching Gift Challenge is aimed at helping participants meet and exceed their Eagles Autism Challenge fundraising goals, where the first $25,000 in online donations will be matched, dollar for dollar.
“We are so grateful to have community leaders like the Yass family who believe in and support our mission of transforming lives for individuals with autism,” said Ryan Hammond, Eagles Autism Foundation Executive Director. “With the help of the Yass family and so many others, we are changing a culture by turning autism awareness into action. This matching gift is a great way to double our impact and ring in the New Year, all while celebrating a divisional championship as a community.”
The matching gift applies to all online donations made between Thursday, January 2 at 9:00 AM ET and Sunday, January 5 at 11:59 PM ET, or until the $25,000 matching gift has been reached. Each donation will be matched only up to $500 per donation. For example, if a donor contributes $500 to a participant’s fundraising account, the donation will be matched for a maximum total of $1,000. Registration fees and any other costs or fees associated with the Eagles Autism Challenge are not subject to the promotion and will not be matched.
“The Philadelphia Eagles and their support of the autism community has inspired our family to step in and take action,” said Janine and Jeff Yass. “We are incredibly proud to have this opportunity to pay it forward and contribute to such an amazing cause.”
Championed by Eagles Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie, the Eagles Autism Challenge is a one-day bike ride and family-friendly 5K run/walk that begins and ends at Lincoln Financial Field. The event features three cycling routes – the Wawa Junior 10-Mile Ride, Wawa Shorti 30-Mile Ride and the Wawa Classic 50-Mile Ride – a Five Below 5K Run/Walk and Five Below 5K Sensory Walk. All five routes end at Lincoln Financial Field with participants crossing the finish line at the 50-yard line. There is also a virtual participant option for those who want to fundraise but are unable to ride, run, or walk on event day.
The third annual Eagles Autism Challenge has been set for Saturday, May 16, 2020. Since launching in May 2018, the signature event has raised more than $7 million for cutting-edge autism research and care for leading Philadelphia institutions.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in 59 people under the age of 21 living in the United States are on the autism spectrum. While it has become one of the fastest-growing developmental disorders in the country, autism has historically been underfunded, misunderstood, and under-researched. The Eagles Autism Foundation partners with thought leaders around the country to advance scientific discoveries and to help improve the quality of life for families affected by autism.
For more information on the Yass Family Wild Card Playoff Matching Gift Challenge, or to register for the third annual Eagles Autism Challenge, please visit www.EaglesAutismChallenge.org.
About Eagles Autism Foundation
The Eagles Autism Foundation is dedicated to raising funds for innovative autism research and programs. By providing the necessary resources to doctors and scientists at leading institutions, we will be able to assist those currently affected by autism as well as future generations. Our event aims to inspire and engage the community, so together, we can provide much needed support to make a lasting impact in the field of autism. Please visit www.EaglesAutismFoundation.org.
