Among the multitude of offices and facilities that make up the (CDA) is The Pam Crowe Autism Centre of Excellence.
The building was named in recognition of Crowe鈥檚 35 years spent as a board member of the CDA as well as countless hours during that same period as chair of the association鈥檚 annual telethon. She is now the organization鈥檚 official ambassador and speaks to community groups about the outstanding work done by the centre鈥檚 staff; she also jokes that she is the association鈥檚 historian.
The association was created in 1974 by a group of parents with children all afflicted with cerebral palsy. They banded together to assist families located between Oyster River to Bowser and as of today have remarkably assisted more than 4,000 families.
Crowe says a great compliment to the efforts being done at the CDA is the fact many military families with children with special needs specifically ask to be stationed at CFB Comox so they can attend the centre.
She adds the association鈥檚 100 full and part-time employees, who are primarily female, all serve as great advocates for the children and their families.
Much of the association鈥檚 funding for keeping the lights and heat on comes via the annual Child Development Centre Telethon. Held the first Sunday of each November, the event has also helped purchase specialized equipment and even buildings for the centre. Amazingly, the telethon celebrates its 50th year in 2025, a remarkable achievement that continued through COVID shut-downs in 2020.
Crowe believes it is one of the longest-running, continuous telethons held anywhere and serves as a testament to the generosity of the people of the Comox Valley.