27,000 Supporters Raise over $1 Million at Three Walk Now for Autism Events
On May 2 and 3, Walk Now for Autism events took place in Utah, Georgia and Northern New Jersey. More than 27,000 people participated, raising over $1 million.
On Saturday, May 2, 4,000 walkers gathered on a rainy morning at Utah Valley University in Orem for the second annual Utah Walk Now for Autism, raising $145,000. Attendees enjoyed a performance of the national anthem by The One Voice Children's Choir directed by Masa Fuduka, as well as Star Wars characters, Disney princesses, face painters, balloon artists and clowns. Grand Club members (walkers who raised $1,000 or more) were treated to massages and manicures in the
4,000 people braved the rainy weather on Walk day in Utah.
Grand Club Lounge. The event was emceed by Autism Speaks supporter, local radio/television personality, Greg Wrubell, whose son has autism. Many thanks go to Walk Chair Tricia Nelson for making the event such a success. Read more and view additional photos
here.
From left to right: Emcee Donna Lowry, Toys"R"Us' Geoffrey, Autism Speaks President Mark Roithmayr, Billi and Bernie Marcus, Walk Chair Suzanne Wheeler
The next morning, more than 20,000 walkers joined the third annual Georgia Walk Now for Autism at Atlantic Station in Atlanta, raising nearly $560,000. Autism Speaks board member Bernie Marcus and his wife, Billi, who are co-founders of our partner the Marcus Autism Center, joined Autism Speaks President Mark Roithmayr on-stage to welcome the enthusiastic crowd. Other special guests included Yael Greene, a 10-year-old with autism, who brought a few in the crowd to tears with a heartwarming story she shared and State Rep. Katie Dempsey (District 13), who provided updates on current autism legislation. Special thanks go to Suzanne Wheeler, who served as Walk Chair. Read more and view additional photos
here.
The same day, at Bergen Community College in Paramus, more than 3,000 people participated in the eighth annual Northern New Jersey Walk Now for Autism raising over $332,000. Entertainment was provided by local band “Andrew Nieporent & The Non-Specifics,” headed up by a 21-year-old who has Asperger's Syndrome. Honorary Walk Chair Pat Battle, co-anchor of WNBC's “Weekend Today in New York,” visited The Grand Club Tent to meet members. Bergen County
Wet walkers with umbrellas join Geoffrey at the start line.
Executive Dennis McNerney also participated in the day's festivities. Read more and view additional photos
here.
All reported fundraising totals are "to-date" - teams are still raising money and the sites are still accepting donations. The next Walk Now for Autism events will be held this weekend in
Chicago, Cincinnati and Laurel Highlands
(Penn.) Kick-off events for future Walks are taking place all across the country;
click here
to find an event near you.
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