"Pitchin' for Paul" tuition fundraiser planned for Baker resident

The Garretts are Eli, 12, Paul, 9, front row from left; and their parents, Philip and Laura Garrett

CRESTVIEW — A fundraiser featuring a pancake breakfast and yard sale are planned for Paul Garrett, a Baker nine-year-old with autism and an eating disorder.

The pancake breakfast and yard sale start at 7 a.m. Oct. 4 at Central Baptist Church, 951 S. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview. Breakfast will be served until 10 a.m. and costs $5 per person.

To buy breakfast tickets in advance or for details, contact Lauren Roper, 864-723-7297, to purchase tickets or with any questions.

SEE previous News Bulletin story about Paul here>>

Paul has pica, which causes an appetite for things with no nutritional value, such as metals, plastics, and more.

He undergoes treatment and schooling for his autism at the Emerald Coast Autism Center in Valparaiso, which may help cure pica. This costs more than $2,100 each month, and about $26,000 a year.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Volunteers to help with the sale are wanted. You may also donate gently used items for the sale or funds toward breakfast ingredients.

Monetary donations directly to ECAC are tax deductible and can be made two ways:

•a check written to Emerald Coast Autism Center, 315 Edge Ave., Valparaiso, FL 32580, with the words "Paul Garrett" on the memo line.

•Visit the school website and click on "Help support ECAC." Follow the steps to pay with your credit, debit, gift card, or paypal account. Prior to confirming your donation, click on the small link that states, ”Add special instructions for the seller.” This is where you will designate Paul Garrett's name.

 You may also donate at the "Pitching for Paul" gofundme site. More than $4,000 of the yearly $26,000 tuition has been collected there so far.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: "Pitchin' for Paul" tuition fundraiser planned for Baker resident