For The Observer

Mississippi RiverKings players Matt Summers and Nathan Schwartzbauer visited Hernando Elementary School on Feb. 10 as part of the RiverKings Assists for Autism initiative.

Summers is the team's 2009-10 Assists for Autism spokesperson, heading up a charity fundraising drive in which patrons can pledge a fixed monetary amount of their choosing for every assist made by the team or make one-time donations to a fund at Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi to help provide resources, support and activities for children and families dealing with autism.

"My cousin has autism, and our family spent a lot of time with her, especially my mom and my sister, who is her same age," Summers said. "They worked with her at least three times a week to help her learn things, so naturally we're pretty tight knit. She wasn't able to go to school for a long time, but when she did, it really was good for her.

"Assists for Autism here works with the local schools, and the schools are the first line of resources for kids with autism. Watching my cousin through the years make progress has inspired me to help groups that are working with the schools and helping families just like mine."

Summers and Schwartzbauer spent time with 35 preschool-age children from two classes, showing them hockey gear and explaining which part of the body each piece protects, then dressing a member of the audience in the player pads, and finally helping each child to take a couple of shots on goal using a net, sticks and street hockey balls provided by the team.

Special education teacher Gwen Cobb said that her class, which includes children with autism, often pairs with this other mainstream class for activities including gym and physical education.

"Pairing them up with a mainstream classroom has been very good for them, because the mainstream kids provide a model of behavior for them to mimic," said Cobb. "This really helps their social and behavioral skills."

As part of the RiverKings Assists for Autism program, Summers and teammates will make several more appearances this season to classrooms and support groups. Additionally, the team will host an "Art for Autism" auction starting Feb. 27 and featuring paintings by RiverKings players that are inspired by local culture and scenery. For more information on the Assists for Autism program, contact the RiverKings office at 662.342.1755.