Scentsy Supports Autism Speaks with ‘Piece by Piece’ Decorative Warmer

MERIDIAN, Idaho--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Scentsy, Inc. and the Scentsy Family Foundation, a charitable initiative of the rapidly growing home fragrance company, have partnered with Autism Speaks, North America’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, to help fund global research, spread awareness, and provide hope to families whose members receive this complex diagnosis.

“Our 100,000 Independent Consultants expressed strongly this is an issue they care very deeply about, and they want to do their part to help.”

“So many of us have been touched by autism,” said Orville Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of Scentsy and co-owner with his wife, Heidi. “Our 100,000 Independent Consultants expressed strongly this is an issue they care very deeply about, and they want to do their part to help.”

Twice a year, with the help of the company’s Consultants, Scentsy chooses a new cause to support. Scentsy designed the ‘Piece by Piece’ Charitable Cause Warmer, adorned with colorful jigsaw pieces, to honor the mission of Autism Speaks: “Solving the puzzle, piece by piece.” As Autism Awareness Month approaches in April, Scentsy and its Consultants will help Autism Speaks raise awareness for autism and those whose lives are affected by it.

The “Piece by Piece” Charitable Cause Warmer is available until August 31, 2011, and is $35. One hundred percent of the net proceeds from each sale will benefit Autism Speaks, which since 2005 has committed over $160 million to research and developing innovative new resources for families.

“We are pleased to establish a partnership with Scentsy and are grateful for the unique warmer design to raise funds and autism awareness," said Mark Roithmayr, president of Autism Speaks. "One in 110 children and countless family members across the country are impacted by autism, and we hope our combined efforts help continue to shed light on this growing health crisis."

All Scentsy products can be purchased through a Scentsy Independent Consultant. To find a Consultant near you, use the “Find a Consultant” locator at www.scentsy.com.

About Scentsy

Scentsy, Inc. is a rapidly growing party plan company offering a variety of home fragrance products. The simplicity and value of its cornerstone product, a flameless candle, provides a better alternative to burning wicked candles in the home and office. What began in 2004 in a 40-foot ocean container on a small sheep farm is now an international company headquartered in Meridian, Idaho, with more than 100,000 current Independent sales Consultants in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam and Canada. Visit us at www.scentsy.com.

About Autism

Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by behavioral challenges. Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed in one in 110 children in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls. The prevalence of autism increased 57 percent from 2002 to 2006. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.

About Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is North America’s largest autism science and advocacy organization. Since its inception in 2005, Autism Speaks has made enormous strides, committing over $160 million to research and developing innovative new resources for families. The organization is 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. In addition to funding research, Autism Speaks has created resources and programs including the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network, Autism Speaks’ Autism Genetic Resource Exchange and several other scientific and clinical programs. Notable awareness initiatives include the establishment of the annual United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, which Autism Speaks celebrates through its Light it Up Blue initiative. Also, Autism Speaks award-winning “Learn the Signs” campaign with the Ad Council has received over $258 million in donated media. Autism Speaks’ family resources include the Autism Video Glossary, a 100 Day Kit for newly-diagnosed families, a School Community Tool Kit and a community grant program. Autism Speaks has played a critical role in securing federal legislation to advance the government’s response to autism, and has successfully advocated for insurance reform to cover behavioral treatments in 24 states thus far, with bills pending in an additional 12 states. Each year Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 80 cities across North America. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.

About the Co-Founders

Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Bob Wright is Senior Advisor at Lee Equity Partners and Chairman and CEO of the Palm Beach Civic Association. He served as Vice Chairman of General Electric; and as the Chief Executive Officer of NBC and NBC Universal for more than twenty years. He also serves on the boards of the Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, Mission Product, LLC and the New York Presbyterian Hospital. Suzanne Wright is a Trustee Emeritus of Sarah Lawrence College, her alma mater. Suzanne has received numerous awards, the Women of Distinction Award from Palm Beach Atlantic University, the CHILD Magazine Children’s Champions Award, Luella Bennack Volunteer Award, Spirit of Achievement award by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine's National Women’s Division and The Women of Vision Award from the Weizmann Institute of Science. In 2008, the Wrights were named to the Time 100 Heroes and Pioneers category, a list of the most influential people in the world, for their commitment to global autism advocacy. They have also received numerous awards such as the first ever Double Helix Award for Corporate Leadership, NYU Child Advocacy Award, Castle Connolly National Health Leadership Award and The American Ireland Fund Humanitarian Award. In May of 2010 they received Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degrees from St. John’s University in Queens and delivered the commencement address as the first married couple to be bestowed such an honor.

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