Thompson Foundation for Autism’s 4th Annual “It’s in the Cards” Dinner Gala & Auction

April 29, 2010

For the past four years, EVS Realty has acted as the event coordinator for the Thompson Foundation for Autism’s Annual Dinner Gala which is held in April of each year. With St. Louis Cardinals Manager Tony LaRussa as the Honorary Chairperson and KMOX radio personality Charlie Brennan as the emcee, the Dinner Gala attracts approximately 475 individuals and  offers a unique opportunity to mingle and get autographs with Cardinals players, Tony LaRussa, and other sports celebrities. Funds raised from the event support various autism-related organizations and efforts in Missouri and nationally, including The Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders at the University of Missouri in Columbia and Howard Park Center in Chesterfield. To date, over $1.5 million has been raised to help children affected by autism.

Lighting Blue for Autism

April 28, 2010

On April 28th, EVS Realty Advisors assisted the Thompson Foundation for Autism shine a light on autism by turning the Gateway One building blue, a color that has been assigned to signify the struggle, hope and state of being for children with autism. During remarks on the plaza at the Gateway One Building, where the Thompson Foundation is headquartered, guests in attendance watched as the building gradually transformed into a blue beacon of light that that was visible from blocks away. The event was part of the national autism “Light It Up Blue” campaign. In addition to lighting the building, EVS Realty Advisors worked with city officials to turn the fountains in the adjacent Kiener Plaza and City Garden blue, and with Lumiere Place to turn their lighting feature blue for the evening. The lighting event was also designed to celebrate the completion of the book Autism Spectrum Disorders: Missouri Best Practice Guidelines for Screening, Diagnosis and Assessment, a joint effort of the Missouri Division of Mental Health and the Thompson Foundation for Autism and is expected to lead to more Missouri children being screened, diagnosed and assessed for intervention planning at the earliest possible date.

Downtown St. Louis Idiotarod benefitting Operation food Search

March 5, 2010

On March 5, 2010, EVS Realty Advisors participated in St. Louis' first Idiotarod. The Idiotarod pays homage to the Alaskan tradition of the Iditarod in which dogs pull a sled and musher across the Iditarod Trail. St. Louis' Idiotarod is similar, except the dogs are replaced with people and the sled is a decorated shopping cart. Teams of five people ventured throughout downtown hitting checkpoints and completing challenges to compete and win prizes. Each team had a theme that is reflective of their cart and costumes. 

One of the challenges for all of the teams was to collect food for Operation Food Search, a local food bank. Instead of collecting real cans on race day, teams and their supporters filled their shopping carts online in a virtual can drive. Collectively the thirty teams raised over $7,500 with the Pirates of the Muddy Miss team fielded by EVS Realty Advisors collecting over $1,800. The next best collection effort was by The Village Idiots who raised $832.50. In addition, the Pirates of the Muddy Miss won first prize for their costumes and decorated shopping cart.

Toys for Tots

December 10, 2009

Every December, EVS Realty Advisors encourages its staff and building tenants to participate in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. The staff collects new, unwrapped toys during their holiday event, and the Marines distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community so that they can experience the joy of Christmas.