As many of you are probably aware I participate in a group called Strengthen The Good. Every three weeks this group highlights a new "micro-charity"--a small, inspiring charity, one with a real face and where $1 makes a difference--and the bloggers in the network link to that post, sending traffic, and awareness, the charity's way.

This time the group has chosen the Brent Woodal Foundation which benefits autistic children. Here's a brief summary of how this foundation came about.

In the events of September 11, 2001 the world lost many exceptional individuals who would have gone on to do countless good for their families and friends, for their employers, and in some cases for those less fortunate than themselves. Brent Woodall was someone whose spirit and dreams must not be forgotten. In addition to being a star in the classroom, on the athletic field and on Wall Street, Brent had a commitment to children that went beyond the qualities that make a great husband and father. Young men in their prime rarely discuss wanting many children themselves or wanting to help less fortunate children achieve excellence, but Brent himself was exceptional in that regard and he and his wife Tracy were determined to fulfill that promise.

Though Brent did not have the opportunity to meet his own daughter and though he can no longer carry on his duty to his family and his mission to help children, Tracy Woodall has dedicated herself to combine her specialized training and experience in working with Autism with the grit and determination that won her All Ivy League honors in Volleyball as Captain of her Columbia University team to keep the promise she and Brent made one another through the Brent Woodall Foundation for Exceptional Children. The Foundation focuses on using Tracy's expertise in Autism and visibility with the media to raise awareness of Autism and further to provide education, training and financial support to families with autistic children to better equip them to be more self sufficient and effective as parents. By taking a targeted approach through the Foundation's Pilot Outreach Program, the Foundation can help those families where the impact can be the greatest so donations are most efficiently utilized, and also add much needed research on the effectiveness of cutting edge therapies including the platform Tracy has developed in her work at the New School.

Autism affects 1 in 250 children and can be devastating to a family of a child who is affected and we know little about its causes and do not have a cure. We do know that treatment can be highly effective, however, especially if focused on very young children and that is the Foundation's focus area.

If you're interested in helping this cause please consider a donation.