Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks Featured Volunteer:
Lehigh Valley Walk Chair Karen Barbarics
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Autism Speaks would like to congratulate Lehigh Valley, Penn., Walk Chair Karen Barbarics, who was recently honored by Gap, Inc. for her outstanding volunteerism on behalf of Autism Speaks. Karen, a Gap store manager in Easton, Penn., successfully recruited more than 100 Gap employees to volunteer for the 2008 Lehigh Valley Walk Now for Autism, raising funds as walkers and securing gift matches from Gap for their personal donations. At Gap, Inc.'s annual leadership conference in San Diego, Calif., last month, Karen was presented with a Gap "Exceed" Award for outstanding service and leadership.

When asked to describe the motivation behind her work on behalf of Autism Speaks, Karen replied, “I decided to start a walk in our Lehigh Valley community not long after our first child was diagnosed with autism. I couldn't take autism away from him, but deep down, I knew that somehow I could
make a difference in the lives of those who live with autism and their families. Walk Day is a day for all of us in the autism community – I feel that if I can give families just one day of celebration, all the hard work is worth it.”
Karen has served as Chair of the Lehigh Valley Walk since the inaugural event in 2007. The Walk has raised more than $800,000 over the past two years. Karen, the mother of two sons, Blake and Jack, who are both on the autism spectrum, is a tireless advocate for autism awareness. Jennifer Rodrigues, the Lehigh Valley
Walk Director, has worked with Karen since the Walk's very first meeting in May 2006. “Karen is an inspiration. She is an incredibly caring person and friend, a terrific mom, and a great resource for other parents. I feel privileged to know Karen, Bill, and their family,” Jennifer said, adding “I am extremely impressed by the level of support that Gap employees have given to the Walk.” In addition to volunteering their time at the Walk, Gap employees raised more than $2,000 through the “Gap – Lehigh Valley” Walk team, captained by Ann Marie Vaughn.
Karen attributes the growth of the Walk to the great spirit of the Lehigh Valley community. “I certainly could not do it alone. With the help and hard work of the walk committee and many volunteers, we are able to make this special day possible. It didn't even surprise me that 100 of our Walk Day volunteers were from Gap, the company I have been employed with for nearly 10 years. Gap has integrity and values that go unmatched. Those qualities are present in the people that represent the brand. I am blessed to know such people. There is no profound answer as to how I was able to get such tremendous support from my co-workers & peers. All I had to do was ask. I stand tall behind the Gap Foundation's motto ‘Be What's Possible'. I know that anything is possible."

Corporate partners are an integral part of the success of Autism Speaks' Walk Now for Autism program. As Gap demonstrates, there are many ways for your corporation/employer to get involved with our signature fundraising campaign. Companies want to support their employees and the causes that are important to them. Companies can participate through sponsorship, matching gifts, building teams, providing volunteers or many other creative ways. If you would like your company or employer to get involved with the Walk, please contact us at walk@autismspeaks.org today and we will provide all of the tools and resources you need.

Do you know an Autism Speaks volunteer whose work should be recognized? Please send us suggestions of volunteers to feature on the site by e-mailing us here .