APRIL IS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH, www.AutismSpeaks.org

National Company Presidents Available to Discuss How Listeners Can Support Autism Speaks’ Denine Torr, Director of Community Initiatives, at Dollar General w/ Peter Morton, Vice President of Development at Autism Speaks, Michael Rosenoff Associate Director of Research Autism Speaks With the approach of Autism Awareness Month and advocacy organization Autism Speaks’ annual Light It Up Blue campaign kicking off on April 2, one of its largest partners, Joe’s Crab Shack, White Castle and Dollar General is gearing up to help raise funds and awareness of the disorder, which affects 1 in 88 children in the U.S. Joe’s Crab Shack President Jim Mazany, White Castle owner Marci Ingram aren’t in this interview, but respective companies’ campaigns to raise funds and awareness of autism throughout Autism Awareness Month. Topics for discussion include: •             The partnership between Joe’s Crab Shack/White Castle/Dollar General and Autism Speaks •             Personal connection to autism •             The “Light It Up Blue” initiative, in which cities around the world turn their structures blue in support of World Autism Awareness Day – this year’s buildings and landmarks include the Empire State Building, Niagara Falls in Canada,  the Sydney Opera House in Australia, and even the International Space Station. About Joe’s Crab Shack partnership Joe’s Crab Shack has produced impressive results, which include restaurant level margin growth of 450 basis points and 18 consecutive quarters of comparable sales growth. As an advocate for several philanthropies, Jim encourages his teams to get involved with national charities, as well as those within their communities. In 2013, Joe’s Crab Shack gave back over $2.2 million to organizations such as No Kid Hungry and Autism Speaks. About White Castle partnership White Castle and Autism Speaks have partnered for the past 6 years — through the “Puzzle Piece Promotion” in its restaurants, White Castle has raised over $2.2 million for Autism Speaks.  White Castle has also raised dollars and awareness through sales of  its award winning “Original Slider Hamburger Scented Candle” – designed by the Queen of Home Fragrance, Laura Slatkin.  100% of net proceeds from candle sales have been contributed to Autism Speaks – over $175,000 worth so far!  All 10,000 of White Castle team members make program success possible because we know in our quest to feed hunger, hope and dreams, we could have no better partner than Autism Speaks. About Dollar General partnership Dollar General, the nation’s largest discount retailer with 10,000 stores, joined forces with Autism Speaks for the fourth time in 2013 to increase awareness of autism and raise funds for autism research and advocacy during Autism Awareness Month in April. Dollar General and its customers donated over $1,100,000 from its at-register campaign this year. In addition, the Autism Speaks puzzle piece logo appeared on Dollar General’s NASCAR Toyota No. 20 car driven by Matt Kenseth in Richmond and Texas for the month of April to drive awareness for the campaign. More than $3.4 million has now been donated to Autism Speaks since this partnership started in 2010. For more information, please visit www.AutismSpeaks.org