A volleyball tournament and a benefit walk are planned to support the Autism Society of Washington as it works to raise autism awareness and help find the causes and a cure for this condition.

The "Buddy’s Benefit – Aces for Awareness" volleyball tournament begins with an 8 a.m. registration on Saturday, April 25. Pool play begins at 9 a.m., followed by a single elimination tournament in the afternoon in the Lower Elwha Tribal Center gymnasium, 2851 Lower Elwha Road, Port Angeles.

This is a recreational tournament with no more than 10 players per team and 16 teams maximum. Players must be 18 or older. The team donation is $125. Contact Jim Burlingame at 360-645-2274 or e-mail burl@centurytel.net for complete tournament information.

The "Walk a Mile in My Shoes" benefit walk for autism awareness begins with registration at 8:30 a.m. and the walk at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 25, at the Lower Elwha Klallam tribal headquarters, 2851 Lower Elwha Road, Port Angeles. Registration is available on site, $20 for adults and $10 for youths. Elwha River Casino will transport walkers to the walk location. Walkers under 18 need written parental or guardian permission.

Call Sonya Tetnowski at 360-460-2221 for more benefit walk information. Tetnowski is executive director of the Lower Elwha and mother of Buddy, who has autism.

Gifts and prizes will be given to registered participants, who are encouraged to find sponsors to make pledges in support of the Autism Society.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, autism occurs in 1 of every 150 children in the United States and almost 1 in every 94 boys. It can be treated and early diagnosis leads to greatly improved outcomes according to the Autism Society of America.

For more information, see www.autismsocietyofwa.org/ or www.autism-society.org.