A rare but brief California drizzle did not dampen the spirits of the more than 2,000 participants who joined the inaugural Central Valley Walk Now for Autism on Saturday, Oct. 18 at Modesto Junior College, West Campus in Modesto, Calif. Walkers on 184 teams raised $161,000. Special thanks go to Walk Chair Michelle Rodriguez for making the Central Valley Walk such a success.

Music and entertainment was provided by the band Radial, Modesto High School cheerleaders, and costumed characters, including Geoffrey the Giraffe. Autism Speaks supporter Marty Seagraves' autism awareness motorcycle was on display at the Walk site and there was even a petting zoo along the Walk route! Attendees also enjoyed a resource fair which featured 13 participating companies and organizations including Central Valley Autism Project (CVAP), Frontier Learning Center and ABC.

Many generous sponsors made the Central Valley Walk possible,

Walkers enjoyed a paved route that circled the MJC West campus.

including E&J Gallo Winery, Doctors Medical Center, Central Valley Autism Project, Van Belle's Taekwondo, Janssen, Simplot Growers Solution, Cupertino Electric, WL Butler Construction, Turner Construction, and Umpqua Bank. Additionally, many generous in-kind donors provided services or items at no cost or at a greatly discounted rate, including Frito-Lay, Starbucks, Dole Fruit Co., Carlos Vieira's 51Fifty Race Team, and Safe-T Light. Two area Wal-Mart stores formed a corporate Walk team and also provided more than 50 volunteers for Walk day.

Visit the Central Valley Walk page or go to the Walk Now for Autism site to find a Walk in your area.