Dine 4 Autism raises awareness, money for autism

Several dozen restaurants in Apex, Carrboro, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Hillsborough, Holly Springs, Morrisville, Raleigh and Wake Forest will participate in the second annual event, which aims to raise awareness and funds. They'll be contributing a piece of their sales all day - breakfast, lunch and dinner, even just a cup of coffee.

Donations will go to Orange/Chatham, Durham and Wake County chapters of the Autism Society of North Carolina. Together, they support more than 3,500 families affected by autism in the region, according to the website.

About one in 58 children in the Triangle are diagnosed on the autism spectrum, according to the Autism Society. But many families are struggling to access the needed services for their children. North Carolina does not require that insurance coverage includes autism, the group's website says. Thousands are on waiting lists for services. The Autism Society provides support and resources for families.