The longtime West Hartford-based organization, Autism Families CONNECTicut, will hold its first ever Art Auction and Wine Tasting on Sept. 9.

Submitted

Autism Families CONNECTicut (AFC) will host its first Art Auction and Wine Tasting fundraiser on Friday, September 9, from 6 to 9 p.m. to benefit programming for children and teens on the autism spectrum.

Guests will sample wine and beer tastings, enjoy catered refreshments and live jazz music. Celebrity guest Wayne Carini, TV host of the “Chasing Classic Cars” series on Discovery’s Velocity channel for eight seasons, will make a guest appearance.

Thanks to Carini, attendees will have the chance to pose with the famous car featured in the 1988 Academy Award winning film, “Rain Man,” featuring Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman. A well-known master car restorer and car collector from Portland, Carini personally refurbished the 1949 Buick Roadmaster at Carini’s F40 Motorsports business in Portland. Carini and his wife Laurie have a daughter on the autism spectrum, and are supporters of Autism Families CONNECTicut.

Unique art will be available for purchase, produced locally by children on the autism spectrum, as well as other local professional artists. Featured art includes photography, paintings, home décor, jewelry and “usable” art, all donated to AFC for this event.

Wine and beer tastings hosted by Buy Rite of Wethersfield, with accompanying hors d’ouevres catered by Heirloom Kitchen Catering. Live entertainment courtesy of a jazz trio and a local young adult on the keyboard.

Purchase tickets at www.autismfamiliesct.org: $35 each or two for $60. For information, contact Mary Helen at 860-474-3444 x 101

Autism Families CONNECTicut, Inc. is a nonprofit organization founded by parents and families of children on the autism spectrum. Our mission is to CONNECT individuals with autism to each other and the community by providing quality recreational and social opportunities, and learning activities in a safe, non-judgmental environment. Tax ID: 80-0527796