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In honor of National Autism Awareness month, Panera Bread is partnering with Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber’s Pediatric Physical/Occupational Therapy Autism Program to host the Pieces of Hope for Autism cookie campaign in the Johnstown and Altoona Panera Bread bakery-cafes.
Starting Monday April 4 through Sunday April 10, Panera Bread is inviting community members to purchase an exclusive Puzzle Piece Shortbread Cookie at their local Johnstown and Altoona Panera Bread bakery- cafes. These one-of-a kind cookies, now made without preservatives, additives, or artificial flavors or colors, will be sold individually and by the half or whole dozen. One hundred percent of proceeds from each Puzzle Piece Shortbread Cookie will be donated to the Pediatric Physical and Occupational Therapy Autism Program at Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber. Additionally throughout the month of April, Panera Bread will be collecting community breadbox donations at the registers to raise funds for Windber Medical’s Autism Program.
“We are honored to partner with Panera Bread again on the Pieces of Hope for Autism campaign,” said Kim Oleksa, development and fundraising coordinator at Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber. “Last year, we acquired more than 20 different items used for the assessment and treatment of autism thanks to the generosity of Panera Bread and the support of the community. Panera Bread’s Pieces of Hope for Autism campaign is truly making a difference for the children and families in our Pediatric Physical/Occupational Therapy Program.”
This is the third year that Panera has partnered with the Pediatric Physical and Occupational Therapy Program at Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber. In the last two year and with the support of the community, Panera Bread Johnstown and Altoona cafes were able to raise over $8,000 for autism and other developmental disabilities.
“Panera’s partnership with Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber, specifically the Pediatric Physical and Occupational Therapy Program, will help change lives for people with Autism and other developmental disorders,” said Sam Covelli, Owner Operator, Covelli Enterprises/Panera Bread. “We are very excited about being able to raise awareness and make a difference in the Johnstown and Altoona communities through this campaign.”
More information on Panera Bread’s Pieces of Hope for Autism campaign and preorder options for the exclusive Puzzle Piece Shortbread Cookies can be found at www.covelli.com/autism.
About the Pediatric Physical/ Occupational Therapy Program at Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber:
Physical therapy specifically helps aide children with autism attain specific motor skills and milestones. Typically these children have difficulty with decreased muscle tone affecting not only their balance and coordination yet attention to task and participation in play activities. Pediatric occupational therapy (OT) focuses on the child’s occupations – such as play, school and home – and how he/she functions and develops in those specific environments. When a child has a delay in skills, motor and/or language impairments, or other noted deficits, OT can help the child gain greater independence in all areas of his/her occupations. At Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber, treatment is molded to each child’s individual needs. Parental involvement is fundamental to the child’s success in the program. The occupational therapist collaborates with parents and other team members to implement relevant intervention. Intervention along with family involvement can assist in the development of new skills and better sensory processing of the environment.
About Covelli Enterprises and Panera Bread:
Covelli Enterprises operates more than 270 bakery-cafes in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, Florida and Ontario,In honor of National Autism Awareness month, Panera Bread is partnering with Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber’s Pediatric Physical/Occupational Therapy Autism Program to host the Pieces of Hope for Autism cookie campaign in the Johnstown and Altoona Panera Bread bakery-cafes.