In 2013, sponsor Anthony Graham, third from left, coordinated RUFF’s work with Morris Elementary School. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – The Ready yoUrself For the Future (RUFF) organization soon will sponsor a fundraiser for autism and an information meeting to meet RUFF members.

“RUFF is getting ready for our busiest spring ever,” founder Anthony Graham said. Graham teaches seventh-graders at Discovery Middle School.

RUFF membership is open to boys in grades 5-12 who attend Madison City Schools, but young men across Madison County also participate.

RUFF engenders leadership and lends support to boys with character-building activities and help from positive male role models. After organizing at Heritage Elementary School, RUFF groups have expanded across town.

On April 10, RUFF will sponsor “Get To Know R.U.F.F.,” an informational meet-and-greet night and fundraiser. The meeting will be held at the Jackson Center, 6001 Moquin Drive at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Cummings Research Park from 5 to 7 p.m.

Dr. Dee Fowler, superintendent of Madison City Schools, will speak at 5:45 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres will be served.

“Our goal this night is to educate the community on our mission, let them find out more about who we are and let them meet the young men of our program,” Graham said.

“The next event is our biggest event ever — ‘Kickin’ It R.U.F.F.’ kickball tournament for autism awareness on May 10 at Discovery Middle School,” he said. The tournament will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

RUFF is recruiting 32 teams to play in a double-elimination kickball tournament. “We’re also looking for vendors to come out to the event. We’ll have lots of kids’ activities, such as bouncy houses, face painting, music and much more,” Graham said.

RUFF is fully funded by the local community with a yearly budget of $40,000.

For more information, call 256-652-1790, email to agrahamruff@gmail.com or visit ruffleadership.org, Facebook/Ready yourself for the Future and YouTube/RUFF.mov.