2011 Greater Hartford Walk Now for Autism Speaks 
The sixth annual Greater Hartford Walk Now for Autism Speaks took place on Sunday, June 5th at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, CT. Gorgeous weather welcomed over 9,000 attendees and $400,000 raised that day with monies still coming in!
Walk Chairs, Annie Cerpa and Cristin Millen, took the stage to welcome NBC Connecticut anchor, Kerri-Lee Mayland and Clear Channel celeb, Renee DiNino. Peter Bell, Autism Speaks Executive Vice President for Programs and Services , also welcomed the crowd before the countdown began. Having a 20x40 foot American Flag hung over the crowd by the Wethersfield Fire Department was breath-taking, and while the children enjoyed numerous free activities, parents could enjoy 3 rows of over 35 resource vendors.
Thank you to Lou and Priscilla Russo from Russo Photography for donating their services and time; the pictures are amazing! A big thank you to Mercury Excelum Inc from East Windsor, CT for donating the fence and labor; and announcing that they will do this every year. Joy O’Meara and family won the contest after submitting a written proposal and pictures of their need – and what a “joy” for this family with a bolting son on the spectrum.
This Walk continues to grow and the CT Autism Community is thankful for all of the hard work and efforts put worth to make it special, all year long. For more information, please contact the Autism Speaks Connecticut Director, Lauren Joyce, at 203-200-8450 or lauren.joyce@autismspeaks.org.
To learn more about the Walk, visit our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/AutismSpeaks.Hartford. 
