July Walks Raise $150,000
On July 11, Walk Now for Autism events took place in Milwaukee and Tacoma. More than 2,100 people participated, raising nearly $150,000.
On Saturday, July 11, 1,500 participants joined the inaugural Milwaukee Walk Now for Autism at the Wisconsin State Fair Park, raising $81,000. Bill and Sonja Bingen, who operated the Autism Votes booth, worked tirelessly to get every single walker to sign the Autism Speaks legislative petitions to eliminate insurance discrimination against the autism community as part of federal health care reform. Just two weeks ago, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle signed autism insurance reform into law, requiring
Toys"R"Us' Geoffrey cuts the ribbon to begin the Milwaukee Walk Now for Autism.
insurance companies to provide coverage of evidence-based, medically necessary autism therapies. Walkers enjoyed demonstrations of events from the World's Strongest Man Competition and a performance by the band Chasing Amy. Special thanks to Walk Chair Jim Ramaker and the Milwaukee Walk Committee members for making the Milwaukee Walk such a success. Read more and view additional photos
here.
In Tacoma, Wash., 600 people joined the fourth annual Tacoma Walk Now for Autism at Cheney Stadium, which raised $65,000. A local Olympian, weightlifter Melanie Roach, the mother of a child with autism, presented a $10,000 check to Autism Speaks that she received for being selected as “Athlete of the Year” by a Rotary group. Special moments included “America's Got Talent” contestant, Manuela Horn, performing the national anthem and Deputy Tacoma Mayor Jill Anderson reading a proclamation naming July
Olympian Melanie Roach presents the Tacoma Walk with a $10,000 check.
11 as “Autism Awareness Day” in Tacoma! Many thanks to returning Walk Chairs Mark & Susan Barlet for the continued success of the Tacoma Walk. 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 final Walk Now for Autism summer events will be held on August 22 and 29 in
Nantucket and Nebraska.
Kick-off events for fall Walks are taking place all across the country; click here to find an event near you.
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