Empowering every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more is no small feat, yet Microsoft continues to advance their mission again by supporting the mission of others. Microsoft has selected Mississippi-based Canopy Children’s Solutions (Canopy) as the Charity of Choice for 2018 Microsoft Rocks (MS Rocks). This benefit concert will be held October 10, 2018, at Breakers Sky Lounge in Herndon, VA, outside of Washington, DC. Proceeds raised by the event will support the vision of creating the Global Autism Institute, part of the Canopy Center of Excellence, which is dedicated to helping children on the autism spectrum and their families to overcome extraordinary challenges.
The MS Rocks opportunity emerged through collaboration of a Canopy-led global volunteer initiative around #AllPuzzlesCanBeSolved, which is currently working to advance autism services, solutions, and tools. One initiative in particular called Digital Transformation for Autism (#DT4A) received nomination by Microsoft in May of 2018. Many of the volunteers supporting Canopy’s Global Autism Institute came to Canopy through the philanthropic Microsoft Employee Giving Campaign program which encourages Microsoft employees to give generously of their time, talent and resources to a wide range of societal issues. Canopy is continuing to develop the Global Autism Institute through an ever growing, global partnership ecosystem which collectively, will accentuate the unique abilities of the neurodiverse autism community.
Members of the #DT4a team collaborate at Canopy Headquarters with Director of Autism Solutions Dr. Jim Moore, BCBA-D, (left), CEO Dr. John Damon (second to left), and Chief Transformation & Innovation Officer Shauna McKinney (right center).
“Relationships matter. Carefully aligned relationships are transformational. A unique and powerful collaboration has developed between the global mission of Microsoft and the mission of Canopy Children’s Solutions to empower every person with autism to achieve more, regardless of geography or socioeconomic standing,” said John D. Damon, Ph.D., Canopy’s Chief Executive Officer. “Together, we are re-imagining what is possible for these children and families. We are deeply humbled to be selected by Microsoft Corporation as its charity of choice for the MS Rocks event to support this international initiative to develop the Canopy Global Autism Institute.”
“Over 30 volunteers from nine countries around the world have volunteered their time and talents to innovate customized, cutting-edge solutions for children with autism,” Damon continued. “Most importantly, this effort has been led by volunteers who know first-hand the importance of this revolutionary work, which holds endless application possibilities for our children who have so much to offer this world.”
To purchase tickets to MS Rocks and learn more about how you and your organization can ensure #AllPuzzlesCanBeSolved, please visit MicrosoftRocksCanopy.com. One hundred percent of donations as well as all ticket sales ($50 ticket price) will directly support Canopy Children’s Solutions.