MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Launch Trampoline Park was the place to be this past Friday on June 11. Located at the Meridian Mall, this fun park hosted an event to provide not only more entertainment for the community, but in hopes to have also spread Autism Awareness.

Xavier DeGroat hosted the event and is an advocate for autism. He is also the founder and CEO of Xavier DeGroat’s Autism Foundation. DeGroat has been able to create change through his foundation by raising acceptance throughout the community. He welcomed guests happily and was eager for the big day.

The evening was full of activities that ranged from laser tag, arcade games, obstacle courses, music, trampolines and dinner. Former Detroit Lions’ Player Lomas Brown Jr, Super Bowl Champion Eddie Murray and Former Michigan State University’s football coach Mark Dantonio even made a special guest appearance as well.

“First of all, Xavier is a great friend of mine. I know he is doing some wonderful things for the Autism community. I like getting behind great events and worthy causes. So, it was easy for me to tell him ‘Yes,’ we would come up and sign autographs. Or even catch footballs! I’ll do whatever he needs me to do because I just think this is a wonderful event and I think he is doing a wonderful thing for the community,” expressed Lomas Brown Jr.

“I work for a non-profit in Michigan called ‘Hope Network’ and we have diagnosis autism centers. So, autism is very dear to our organization, as well as myself. Coming together with Xavier and trying to help him with his autism awareness initiatives that he has, I’m here for it,” explained Eddie Murray.

The special guests greeted fans with smiles, took photos and signed autographs.