Why donations to Marcus Autism Center are so important and how the Taylor Family Foundation takes a leading role

Marcia Taylor, CEO of Bennett International Group, is no stranger to Children’s. She’s a Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation Trustee and a donor—in 2013, Marcia and her family made a gift through the Taylor Family Foundation. That generous gift funded an in-hospital intensive care simulation room and specialized vein-viewing technology at a Children’s neighborhood location in their Henry County community.

Now the family is deepening its ties—and fulfilling its foundation’s mission to support children, quality healthcare and nonprofits in the community—by way of a generous donation to Marcus Autism Center.

Before she toured Marcus Autism Center several years ago, Marcia didn’t realize all the ways the center helps children with autism. “I was just amazed at what Marcus Autism Center does and the programs they have in place,” Marcia said. “It was an eye-opening experience for me.”

Lynette Mathis, Marcia’s daughter and vice president of Bennett International Group and administrator for the Taylor Family Foundation, also joined the tour and remembers coming away inspired.

“We saw firsthand the work that’s being done there, and we just fell in love with the idea of being able to donate and help in any way we could,” Lynette said.

One of the most valuable ways Marcia has helped is by simply raising awareness around autism. Since 2012, she has hosted the Sophisticated Chicks Luncheon, a lunch-and-learn gathering for women that features guest speakers and topics related to Children’s. Last year, the spotlight was on Marcus Autism Center. Marcia invited a friend and a colleague to speak about what it is like to have a child with autism in addition to sharing information about the center.

“It was very enlightening to learn firsthand about how to care for a child with autism and the kind of challenges that you have—and the blessings,” Marcia said. “The difference Marcus Autism Center is making in people’s lives is so important.”

Both Marcia and Lynette agree there is undeniable value in what their family foundation supports when they give to Marcus Autism Center, and they make sure to tell anyone they meet about the organization.

“We didn’t realize how autism affected us personally until we started talking about it,” Lynette said. “Then all of a sudden we had employees who said, you know, my child has autism; thank you for donating to Marcus Autism Center.”

Contact Jessica Lucadamo to learn how you can make an impact like Marcia and her family.