The Green Bay Packers and Head Coach Mike McCarthy have partnered to make a $100,000 donation to the Autism Society of Northeast Wisconsin (ASNEW), it was announced today.

"I'm very pleased to be able to make this contribution to the Autism Society of Northeast Wisconsin," said McCarthy. "The organization serves as a great resource for families in our area who have a member with autism. The support the Packers and I can offer will be able to further their compassionate work."

According to ASNEW, autism is the fastest growing disability in the United States. One in every 150 children and one in every 94 boys has an Autism Spectrum Disorder, a disorder that interferes with speech, learning and social skill development. The goal of the Autism Society is to promote lifelong opportunities for people within the autism spectrum to be fully included, participating members of their communities by providing information and referral, advocacy, public awareness, education, and support for families and the professionals who assist them.

"We are extremely grateful to the Packers and Mike and Jessica McCarthy for their generosity with their donation to ASNEW," said Lisa Dillhunt, president of the Autism Society of Northeast Wisconsin. "There are incredible things that we will be able to do to assist families in our community who are touched by autism and the people who support them."

More information is available from the Autism Society of Northeast Wisconsin at 920/497-1212 or online at www.asnew.org. Information on other chapters in Wisconsin is available at 888/4-AUTISM. For nationwide information, contact the Autism Society of America at 800/328-8476.