Poway Family Hosts Fundraiser for Son with Austism

The Cole family and friends pumped it up at The Inflatable Party Zone Thursday to raise funds to provide their autistic son, Billy Spalthoff, with a service dog.

Held at the local in Poway, the fundraiser gave kids the opportunity to spend an evening jumping around the inflatable playground to music, using glow sticks to light up the rooms. For $20, a child could enjoy pizza, romp around the play arenas and help Billy acquire a friendly companion that is trained to meet his needs.

Nancy Cole, Billy’s mother, explained that a service dog trained specifically to meet his needs would establish “safety and security” for her son. She added that the dog would wear a vest identifying it as a service dog, which she hoped would help people be more aware and understanding.

“We’re hoping people will have a greater understanding that my son has a disability, and that Billy will experience less critical looks or comments,” Cole said.

Families showed their support for Billy by attending the fundraiser. According to Cole, other families with special-needs kids came to the event and she was happy that the fundraiser at Pump it Up was one in which everyone could participate.

“The really wonderful thing is that our kids with special needs and typical kids can come together and have fun,” Cole said. “It’s an event that Billy can be included in.”

Anyone who missed the event but would still like to donate can do so at www.gooddogautismcompanions.org, the organization that will provide Billy with his helpful companion. Up to $1,500 in donations made by next Tuesday, Feb. 7, will be matched by the Phil and Shauna Schneider Family Fund at the San Diego Foundation.