“Your name is on the list. The bouncers should let you in, but watch out for the paparazzi!”

So reads an invitation to a special event set for 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at Bearpath Country Club in Eden Prairie. The club is going to be draped in black velvet. There will be lounges, martini bars and a traveling photo booth.

“Basically … we’re transforming Bearpath Country Club into a New York nightclub,” says organizer Sally Leivermann of Eden Prairie.

But it’s not a movie premiere, it’s Club Ana 149, an event aiming to raise awareness and funds for autism.

Specifically, funds will go to Ana, who is Leivermann’s niece; and to Fraser, a Richfield-based nonprofit organization that provides rehabilitative therapies, education and housing for children and adults with developmental disabilities.

The name comes from the fact that “in a room of 150 kids, 149 of them will not have autism … one of them will. Ana is the one that does.”

Yes, one in every 150 children born have autism, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Ten years ago it was one in every 10,000 births.

“We’re in the midst of a public-health crisis related to the number of children that have been diagnosed with autism,” said Fraser vice president of development Gary Wagner.

He said there are different schools of thought and theories to explain the statistics.

“Despite the alarming statistics,” Wagner points out, “there is hope.” He said autism is treatable, especially when detected early.

Wagner said that Fraser offers an extensive autism spectrum disorder treatment program.

He said the funds received from the event will go directly to support the organization’s autism treatment services. He said they have waiting lists of families waiting to receive diagnosis and treatment.

“Dollars directed to Fraser for autism treatment services will help us to provide additional treatment services to treat additional families,” he said.

Treatments are working for Ana, according to Leivermann.

“Autism is treatable, which is the really good news,” Leivermann said. “Early intervention is key. You can treat it through an organization like Fraser.”

Leivermann said Ana is a very sweet little girl with a tremendous sense of humor. “She’s got this deep belly laugh,” she said, and “she’s very, very loving.” As is typical of children with autism, she developed normally until about 18 months of age. Then she regressed, losing her ability to make eye contact and communicate.

“Now at 6 years old, Ana’s life is consumed with a combination of special education and detoxification therapies that are working. Ana is now talking and can express herself. There is no cure for this complex neurological disorder, but studies show there’s a window of opportunity for improved quality of life. Her Eden Prairie friends are making sure Ana and many others don’t miss that window,” according to a news release from the group.

Leivermann said the event offers an opportunity for learning, as they will have signs up discussing the symptoms of autism, for example.

She said her sister has already spent $200,000 on treatment for Ana. Most of it is not covered by insurance. The group hopes to raise $89,130 with the fundraiser, or the cost of one year of treatment for Ana. “Time is of the essence for Ana,” she said. Leivermann said she wants Ana to grow up and lead an independent, productive successful life and be a self-sufficient young woman.

“I am just amazed at the outpouring of generosity,” she said. “People have just poured out their hearts and their pocketbooks to help with this.”

Ana’s stamp is on the event as well. She is from New York. She loves penguins, so the friends and neighbors who organized the event decided on the black and white dress code.

Then “we just thought, we’re a laid-back group of moms and friends, we want to wear jeans,” so the dress code became black, white and denim.

The event is set to feature a silent auction with items like trips, Wild tickets, jewelry, a closet system, restaurant gift certificates and more.

For more information, visit www.ANA149.com or call 952-220-6422.

If you go

What: Club Ana 149

Where: Bearpath Country Club, 18100 Bearpath Trail, Eden Prairie

When: 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23 (reservations needed by Monday, Feb. 18)

Information: 952-220-6422 or www.ANA149.com.

A click away

Here are several sites with more information about autism, as well as the ClubAna149 site.

Generation Rescue: http://www.generationrescue.com/
Autism Research Institute and DAN (Defeat Autism Now): http://www.autism.com/
Evidence of Harm: http://www.evidenceofharm.com/
Safe Minds: http://www.safeminds.org/
Brain Matters: http://www.brainmattersinc.com/

For more information about Fraser, visit www.fraser.org or call 612-861-1688.