By Lucy Duke, Special to Nighthawk News

Many locals on the Outer Banks enjoy going to Surfin’ Spoon to get some frozen yogurt, but most of them don’t notice the $100 bills or the $500 check hanging from the ceiling of the shop. Those are just a few of many donations that have been tucked into the low ceiling over the years as Surfin’ Spoon raises money for the local event, Surfing for Autism, which brings in professional surfers and volunteers to teach children with autism how to surf.

The idea for raising money in the ceilings came from an old tradition started by the restaurant before Surfin’ Spoon.

“Our manager suggested that we keep their tradition, but we donate our money to a charity instead of keeping it for ourselves,” said Whitney Hines, one of the owners. “Then we thought of Surfing for Autism because everyone who works at Surfin’ Spoon loves the event.”

Locals and tourists have had different reactions to seeing the money in the ceiling. Some of them even joke at first about using the money themselves.

“Before people know what the money in the ceiling is for, they kind of joke around and ask if they can use the money to buy their frozen yogurt, but as soon as they find out what it is for, they get very excited,” Hines said.

Substantial donations given by businesses like Surfin’ Spoon are crucial to the success of Surfing for Autism, which takes place Saturday (Aug. 11) starting at 9 a.m. at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head. The idea of Surfing for Autism first started when surfer Mark Slagle and Eileen Lowery, who was a member of the Autism Society Chapter of NC OBX, met at Front Porch Cafe to discuss events they could do to help raise awareness and support for autism. They had first planned on doing a walk, but wanted to do more.

“I felt that a walk could be done anywhere and we had the amazing resource of the beach that isn’t available to everyone,” Lowery said. “Our loved ones with autism tend to love water, so I wanted to build off of that.”

Surfing for Autism has impacted so many lives since it began in 2010 and it gives the kids something to look forward to each year. The kids who come are usually paired up with the same surfer and volunteers each year so they can develop a relationship with the surfers.

“While we thought we would put on this event for our loved ones with autism, it has been incredibly touching to see how our loved ones have impacted the volunteers at the event,” Lowery said.

Surfing for Autism starts with a free sensory-sensitive night at the North Carolina Aquarium on Thursday. On Friday the 10th, there is a dinner where the siblings of the autistic participants that go to Surfing for Autism go fishing while their brother or sister goes to the beach to practice surfing skills in the sand. The actual surfing event will take place on Saturday at Jennette’s Pier from 9 to 1, with lunch afterward for volunteers, participants and their families.

Joe Tyson, who teachers special needs students at FFHS and works as a volunteer surfer for the event, said, “I love getting the kids in the water and letting them feel the water. It’s nice that we are getting to share this great experience with these kids.”

Math teacher Christian Lowe’s daughter participates in the event.

“Surfing for Autism is such a feel-good event,” Lowe said. “The smile on everyone’s faces has made a lasting impact on me. Now, I will go every year until either I die or the event is canceled.”

Beyond volunteering (at SurfingForAutism.org) or donating money, there are other ways people can help support autism awareness in the community, including just learning how to be tolerant and respectful of others who may not act or look the same as you.

“More awareness of autism may lead to increasing the chances of early diagnosis and support, lowering incidents of bullying at school, and improving employment prospects,” Lowe said.

Even though Lowe believes there are still things that can be done to raise autism awareness, Tyson thinks the community has already done great work.

“The Outer Banks has taken time to educate themselves with things like the triggers for people with autism and they have just raised a lot of awareness in general,” Tyson said.

Lucy Duke is a rising sophomore. She wrote this story in May as her final project for Introduction to Publications. She can be reached at [email protected].