Earlier this year, model, singer, beauty queen, and autism advocate Rachel Barcellona received the Lightning Community Hero Award for her steadfast work and commitment to improve the lives of and perception of those with autism in the Tampa Bay community. As part of the award, Barcellona received $50,000 in grant money to direct to the charities of her choosing. Barcellona decided to donate $30,000 to Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at USF (CARD-USF).
This donation to the organization will fund diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, the enhancement of resources for adults on the spectrum, and the allocation of training and resources to autism-friendly businesses in Tampa.