Jane Berman, special education teacher at Pointers Run Elementary School, and her class of seven preschoolers baked delicious treats throughout the 2007-08 school year and turned their classroom activity into a cookbook fundraiser. The preschoolers were enrolled in the multiple intense needs class -- early learners, which specializes in educating children with autism and related disabilities.

The class sold more than 200 copies of its recipe collection. On June 11, the class presented a check for $1,647 to the Howard County Autism Society.

"So many people asked for recipes," Berman said. "We thought why not make a cookbook? It was only natural to want to donate the money to the Howard County Autism Society, as autism is clearly near and dear to our class."

In addition to the recipes, artwork by the students is sprinkled throughout the cookbook, which is printed on cardstock and stapled. The school paid all printing expenses, enabling 100 percent of the proceeds to go to the autism society.

Kim Manning, executive director of the Howard County Autism Society, was pleasantly surprised when she received the news of the donation from Shannon Barrett, autism specialist with the Howard County Public School System.

"We are so proud of these children for their hard work, and truly honored to receive this donation from them," Manning said.

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