DURHAM, N.C. - Donations to the Autism Society of North Carolina have increased since Raleigh's Clay Aiken reached the final stages of competition on the television show "American Idol."

More donations have been received since Aiken made it into the semifinals of the show, said David Laxton, director of communications for the Autism Society of North Carolina.

"That's whenever people are trying to find out 'What are these causes that he supports and how can we make a donation in honor of him?'" Laxton said.

Fan sites on the Web, eager to support Aiken in any way possible, have posted addresses and Web site information for the charities he supports. Information about the autism society went online Friday.

Laxton said the society had received 29 donations over the weekend, ranging from $15 to $500. Other donations have come to the society from events at area shopping malls, like one where people can record a message to Aiken if they donate $1.

Diane Bubel, a mother of a child with autism, is happy to hear that Aiken has put the society in the limelight. Bubel said Aiken worked with her 12-year-old son, Mike, before going on to "Idol" fame, and Bubel convinced Aiken to audition for the show.

Another local organization benefiting from its association with Aiken is the A.E. Finley YMCA in Raleigh, where Aiken was a camp counselor for many years.

Tim O'Connell, branch director of the A.E. Finley YMCA, said the organization had received about $2,800 in honor of Clay.