Autism Nonprofit Asks Donors To 'CRUSH IT!'

The Flying Point Foundation for Autism has launched a unique fundraiser based on achieving personal goals with support and donations from friends and family. The CRUSH IT! Challenge, online at mightycause.com/event/Crush-It, offers several preset teams that individuals can join or there is the option to create your own challenge. Those who are not up for a challenge, can donate to the main page or any of the challenge pages.

“Who doesn’t like a challenge and an opportunity to work toward self-improvement or being a stronger person?” said Kim Covell, founder and executive director of the Flying Point Foundation for Autism. “The appeal of this fundraiser is that participants can do what they want, when they want, where they want. That the challenge also benefits a worthy cause is icing on the cake,” she said.

Among the organized teams are The Inlet Ride, a 30-mile cycling challenge from the Shinnecock Inlet to Moriches Inlet at Cupsogue and back. Those who join the team will decide on a date to ride as a group, or individuals can opt to do the challenge on their own time. Another cycling challenge is available through the Two Ferries and a Donut Ride with a route starting in Sag Harbor to Shelter Island, then Greenport and Orient Point and back, with, of course, a stop for donuts along the way. It will be on a team-determined date and distance, or a team member may work on the goal individually at a convenient time and an attainable, but challenging, distance.

Those who join the Make It a Habit team might take on a physical challenge such as a set walk distance each day or a number of pushups. The team is also a great way to work toward other goals such as drinking enough water each day or calling your mother twice a week. Registrants choose what they want to do for the challenge, set the time frame, and work toward their goal.

Some habits are best given up and those who wish to challenge themselves to do so should consider joining the Give It Up team. Can you give up that extra cup of coffee in the afternoon for a month? Can you stop the f-bombs for a week? How about a day without the work “like” in a sentence?

In addition to the premade teams — and more will be added in the coming weeks — individuals can start their own teams and customized challenges. Gather friends and CRUSH IT! The Flying Point Foundation for Autism will gladly assist in creating a team or discuss a challenge.

For those who just want to the challenge of seeing how much money they can raise can create an Individual page and collect donations by sharing it with their network.

There is no registration fee, but donating to your own page is encouraged because it signals to family and peers, who might consider making pledges to your challenge, that you’re serious about attaining your stated goal. Once signed up through the CRUSH IT! page on MightyCause.com individuals can invite friends to join the challenge or support them with pledges. Tag FPF4autism on social media with hashtags assigned to each challenge so everyone can see your progress.

General inquires may be send to kcm11976@optonline.net or call 631-255-5664.