Home Depot co-founder to receive inaugural Autism Speaks award named for Palm Beacher

Honored two weeks ago for his philanthropy efforts, former television executive and longtime Palm Beach resident Bob Wright will be in New York Tuesday to help recognize another charity-minded person.

Wright, who along with his late wife, Suzanne, founded the national nonprofit autism awareness organization Autism Speaks, will be on hand as Home Depot co-founder and Boca Raton resident Bernie Marcus receives the inaugural Bob Wright Philanthropy Award for visionary investments in autism.

The award, which will be presented to Marcus at Autism Speaks' annual Chef Gala event at Cipriani Wall Street, recognizes individuals, foundations or organizations who have had profound impact in advancing the autism field and seek to improve lives across the spectrum and throughout the lifespan.

In 1991, Marcus established the Marcus Autism Center, a world-renowned research and treatment facility in Atlanta that provides comprehensive services to children and families affected by autism.

Marcus founded the center after he learned about the disorder from an employee who had been struggling to care for her son, according to the center.

In 2005, Marcus made a "transformational" leadership gift of $25 million to Autism Speaks in an effort to raise awareness of autism and fund research, services and support.

"In 2005, there was little understanding and even less funding to research autism or provide support for affected children and their families," said Marcus, who along with his wife, Billi, founded the nonprofit Marcus Foundation in 2009 in an effort to support a range of healthcare, education and human service initiatives, including autism research.

"That's why the creation of Autism Speaks was a necessity. I am happy to say that since the inception of this organization, there has been tremendous progress in awareness, advocacy, services and financial aid for the autism community. It is my hope that the work of Autism Speaks will inspire future leaders to continue to make a difference in the autism space."

Bob and Suzanne Wright were inspired to form Autism Speaks after their grandson was diagnosed with the disorder, according to the organization.

Under the Wrights' stewardship, Autism Speaks has helped reshape the landscape of support for people with autism.

The organization has advocated for new federal laws to secure financial protections for people with disabilities and reforms ensuring insurance coverage for autism services, and also launched a widespread public service campaign to bring attention to the early signs of autism.

In 2008, Wright and Suzanne were named to the Time 100 Most Influential People list in the "Heroes and Pioneers" category.

Wright said he looks forward to honoring Marcus for his support of Autism Speaks and other organizations that work to advance the autism field.

“Driven by my family’s journey with autism, over the last 20 years, I have proudly dedicated myself to building a community that autistic individuals and their families can turn to for guidance, support and compassion," Wright told the Daily News. "The Bob Wright Philanthropy Award’s recognition of my lifelong work is an honor that can only be matched by knowing the impact Autism Speaks has had on countless lives.

"Autism Speaks’ legacy was built on the shoulders of giants like Bernie Marcus, the inaugural recipient of the Bob Wright Award. It is because of visionaries like him, and his transformational work, that Autism Speaks continues to drive change and create opportunities for autistic individuals to feel understood and supported at every stage of their lives.”

For information on Autism Speaks, visit www.autismspeaks.org.

Jodie Wagner is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at jwagner@pbdailynews.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Home Depot co-founder to get inaugural Autism Speaks award