2,000 Walkers Join 5th Annual San Diego
Walk Now for Autism
Walk Now for Autism
Last year's San Diego Walk Now for Autism was cancelled due to the region's tragic wildfires, but the community's spirit was not dampened and this year 2,000 participants joined the 5th annual San Diego Walk Now for Autism at Balboa Park on Saturday, Nov. 1. The walkers, on nearly 230 teams, raised nearly $180,000.
The San Diego Walk Now for Autism prides itself on showcasing the talents of people with autism. Walkers enjoyed a display by an artist with autism who donated proceeds from the sale of his works to Autism Speaks. Special thanks go to The Music Therapy Center of San Diego, which coordinated the musical entertainment for the day, allowing numerous local musicians with autism to share their talents with the crowd. Grammy award nominee Kibbles Rockin' Clubhouse also performed; one of the band's members is on the San Diego Walk committee. Home Depot donated hundreds of free activity kits for kids to work on, and Radical Reptiles' traveling animals
The San Diego Walk Now for Autism prides itself on showcasing the talents of people with autism. Walkers enjoyed a display by an artist with autism who donated proceeds from the sale of his works to Autism Speaks. Special thanks go to The Music Therapy Center of San Diego, which coordinated the musical entertainment for the day, allowing numerous local musicians with autism to share their talents with the crowd. Grammy award nominee Kibbles Rockin' Clubhouse also performed; one of the band's members is on the San Diego Walk committee. Home Depot donated hundreds of free activity kits for kids to work on, and Radical Reptiles' traveling animals
The 5th annual San Diego Walk Now for Autism raised nearly $180,000.
Highlights from the San Diego Walk Now for Autism
(YouTube video, ~2 minutes)
(YouTube video, ~2 minutes)
were also a big hit. Children also enjoyed six stations of carnival games, where every player won a prize!
The Walk hosted a resource fair which showcased 28 companies and organizations, including City of San Diego Therapeutic Program, Rady Children's Autism Intervention Center (San Diego Children's Hospital), Train 4 Autism, Center for Autism & Related Disorders and Autism Society of America - San Diego Chapter.
A number of generous sponsors contributed to the success of the San Diego Walk Now for Autism, including Qualcomm, Sentre Partners and Amtrak. National Sponsor Toys”R”Us played an active role on Walk day, with a prominently placed booth and Geoffrey leading walkers along the route. Also important to the San Diego Walk was Papa John's of San Diego, which presented a check onstage. Mike Arnold, Papa John's director of Store Operations, has two children with autism and is a very active member the San Diego Walk committee, attending each monthly meeting with the company's director of human resources, Kimberly. Thanks to Mike's efforts, Papa John's provided pizza for committee meetings, free meals to use as fundraising contest prizes and lunch for all volunteers on Walk day.
Many thanks to first-time Walk Chair Kay Curry for making the San Diego Walk such a success. Kay has a grandson with autism, Andrew, and engaged his other grandmother and grandfather as active members of the Walk committee. Kay's son-in-law Aaron, daughter Krystal and daughter Kaycee also actively contributed as committee members. Like Kay, many of the San Diego Walk committee members bring family members onboard.
Visit the San Diego Walk page or go to the Walk Now for Autism site to find a Walk in your area.
The Walk hosted a resource fair which showcased 28 companies and organizations, including City of San Diego Therapeutic Program, Rady Children's Autism Intervention Center (San Diego Children's Hospital), Train 4 Autism, Center for Autism & Related Disorders and Autism Society of America - San Diego Chapter.
A number of generous sponsors contributed to the success of the San Diego Walk Now for Autism, including Qualcomm, Sentre Partners and Amtrak. National Sponsor Toys”R”Us played an active role on Walk day, with a prominently placed booth and Geoffrey leading walkers along the route. Also important to the San Diego Walk was Papa John's of San Diego, which presented a check onstage. Mike Arnold, Papa John's director of Store Operations, has two children with autism and is a very active member the San Diego Walk committee, attending each monthly meeting with the company's director of human resources, Kimberly. Thanks to Mike's efforts, Papa John's provided pizza for committee meetings, free meals to use as fundraising contest prizes and lunch for all volunteers on Walk day.
Many thanks to first-time Walk Chair Kay Curry for making the San Diego Walk such a success. Kay has a grandson with autism, Andrew, and engaged his other grandmother and grandfather as active members of the Walk committee. Kay's son-in-law Aaron, daughter Krystal and daughter Kaycee also actively contributed as committee members. Like Kay, many of the San Diego Walk committee members bring family members onboard.
Visit the San Diego Walk page or go to the Walk Now for Autism site to find a Walk in your area.
Walkers were treated to a variety of delicious snacks.
Walkers enjoyed the beautiful Walk day weather.
Balboa Park was filled with family activities on Walk day.
Resource fair vendors brought along plenty of kid-friendly games.
Volunteers assist with the many activities at the Walk.
The science table provided information about Autism Speaks' many programs and initiatives.
Walk Chair Kay Curry participated in an on-air interview.
Walkers are led in a workworking activity.
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