Boyz II Men to perform at autism event

Boyz II Men, among other celebrities, will be on hand July 23 to help raise money for the Autism Services of Mecklenburg County at the first Lake, Land and Lyrics event in Mooresville.

“We’ve done fundraisers in the past, but this is the first time we’ve done an event like this one,” said Hollis Nixon, event coordinator. “With the economy the way that it is, we wanted to give everyone the most bang for their buck, and I think we did that. It’s a great way to raise money and appeal to a wide range of people.”

ASMC is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting children and adults with autism, traumatic brain injury and other developmental disabilities.

The organization has been assisting people with autism and brain injuries for more than 30 years, and is licensed by the North Carolina Department of Human Resources, Division of Health Service Regulation.

“This organization deserves attention, especially since the money raised from Lake, Land and Lyrics will stay right here to be used in Mecklenburg and the surrounding counties,” said Nixon. “There are a lot of people afflicted with autism and the money from this event will help local people right now, as opposed to national organizations where you have no idea where your money went or how it was used. You can see right here in your community the good your dollars are doing.”

“ASMC focuses on creating opportunities for consumers to improve life skills and providing quality services based on needs specific to both the individual and their family,” stated their Web site, http://www.asmcinc.com . “ASMC supports the belief that people with disabilities have the right to live and work in the most normal, least restrictive setting as is consistent with their abilities, and that they should be afforded the same dignity and rights as all other citizens.”

ASMC will be channeling the money into their eight group homes, medications for their clients, neurology consultations that aren’t covered by Medicaid, back-up generators for the group homes and funding for their day activity programs for adults with disabilities. The organization also hopes to reinstate Camp Dakota, a summer camp for children with autism as well as One on One Services, a program geared toward “improving social skills, work behaviors, helping with homework, engaging participants in physical activities, and aiding in anything else needed to become more independent and productive.” Both of these programs have been removed due to recent budget constraints.

Lake, Land and Lyrics will kick off at 5 p.m. at Queen’s Landing in Mooresville and offers a few ways to enjoy the evening.

“We’ll have two cruises offered, which should be a lot of fun,” said Nixon. “The first is more formal, with a five-course gourmet meal prepared by Chef Salvador Friedel. The second has a more family-style menu.”

Both menus are on the Web site. The cruises will last for about two hours, followed by a concert by Jim Quick & Coastline and Boyz II Men.”

Dinner will also be offered on land as well with a menu planned by Friedel. The price of each ticket includes beer, wine and spirits, VIP bar access and tented seating and entrance to view the celebrity poker tournament that begins at 9 p.m.

“We wanted to make the ticket as all-inclusive as possible, so all you had to do was pay one fee and you’re covered for the entire night,” Nixon explained.

At the poker tournament, each table will feature one celebrity player and six paid entrants. Some of the celebrities for the tournament include former lineman and CEO of PAC Michael Barber, offensive lineman and Charlotte native Mo Collins, retired NBA guard Sleepy Ford, former pro-safety for the Carolina Panthers Mike Minter and golfer Lanny Wadkins.

“The celebrities we picked are very personable because we know there will be a lot of meet-and-greet opportunities,” said Nixon. “We are so lucky to have them, as well as Boyz II Men, who have been nothing but gracious and wonderful to work with.”

Poker tournament entry is $100, and for those who might be dealt an unlucky hand, the price covers entry to the concert if you are out of the running early.

Want to go?

Lake, Land and Lyrics will be held Saturday, July 23, starting at 5 p.m. Ticket prices vary from $100 to $400, according to whether you choose to participate in a cruise, have dinner or just want to see the concert. Package prices are featured on the Web site http://lakelandandlyrics.org/register. For more information about ASMC, visit http://www.asmcinc.com.