About
The Awesome and Unique Special Needs Foundation was established in Oakland County, Michigan in 2021 as a non-profit 501(c)(3). We hold events for our special needs community members through out the year to help spread love and acceptance. We originally started off as an "unofficial" event the past few years in the Lake Orion/Oxford communities. We depend on donations from surrounding businesses and generous people, like you! We love to host these events and provide a fun, safe, and accepting place for our most vulnerable community members.
Mary Vellucci
President / Founder
Gillian Lanigan
Director
Jason Lanigan
Chief Executive Officer
Mary has been an event planner / coordinator with local nonprofits for the better part of (2) decades in order to help her daughter, Gabriella, who has Downs Syndrome. After the birth of her grandson, who is autistic, she departed the previous nonprofit to create one that was not specific to just her daughter, but open to many kids with special needs or disabilities. In 2021 she officially opened the Awesome and Unique Special Needs Foundation (AUSNF).
Gillian is an amazing wife and mother to 2 beautiful children, one of whom is an autistic boy. Over the past decade she has dedicated most of her spare time to researching and understanding Autism, in order to be more supportive and effective parent. Her extensive knowledge of Autism allows her to be an ambassador for our Autism community. Â As the director for (AUSNF) she is responsible for community support and operations.
Jason is employed full-time as an Architectural PM and department manager for a mid-sized company located in Wixom, MI. One of the things he most likes about working there is that, each year, for the past 12 years, they organize and host a large charitable event that to date has raised over 1 million dollars for St Jude’s. As CEO of the Awesome and Unique Special Needs Foundation, most of his efforts are focused on outward facing materials, communications, media, and fundraising events.