Thank you for your support!
The 16th Annual Walk for Autism was a success!
We felt blessed with beautiful weather and community support.
The Walk is our signature fundraising event which brings together thousands of participants annually. This Walk originally started in 2001 to raise awareness in our local community. Today, the Walk for Autism has evolved to not only raise awareness, but is our primary fundraiser to increase direct support to persons and families living with autism in Northwestern Pennsylvania.
We were proud to work with our 16th Annual Walk for Autism Chair Family, Greg and Shanda Coleman and their children, Kevin and Maggie. The Coleman family has been an intrical part of the Autism Society NWPA for the past six (6) years. We were pleased they agreed to open their hearts and home to share their story with the local community. Our Walk Chair family also organized a Walk team, High 5 for Autism, and brought our volunteer from the furthest distance, Shanda's dad, Richard Burmood. Thank you, Coleman family, for all your support, efforts, and dedication in making sure the Annual Walk for Autism is a huge success!
The view from the Walk start line is breathtaking. It is an overwhelming feeling seeing everyone lined up for the Walk knowing they are there to support individuals and families living with an autism spectrum disorder. A huge shout out to our 60 sponsors, 50 teams, 130 volunteers, and over 2,000 Walkers! You are all amazing! A special shout out to our Team Captains. Our team captains have help move our Walk to the next level. The team captains are busy throughout the year organizing walkers, raising awareness, and fundraising to support our mission. Our teams raised over $61,000! The 16th Annual Walk for Autism raised over $116,000 due to the tremendous support received from all of you and our local community. The Annual Walk for Autism is only as strong as the people involved. There are not enough words to express our thanks to all our supporters. The day was a huge success beecause of your efforts.
I would like to personally thank our dedicated 2017 Walk Committee for their expertise in planning, organizing, and working the day's event. Our amazing crew of volunteer directors and supervisors: Dave Bartlett, Anne Eisert, Israel Wodarski, Mike Eisert, Linda Henningan, Hope Martinson, Matt Martinson, Mary Spaeder, Dan Wirley, Jason Keim, Karen Kaiser, Elysa Farrell, Doug Boucher, Lew Boucher, Richard Burmood, and Jan Formichella. Our directors and supervisors invest hours throughout the year to ensure the Annual Walk runs seamlessly for the participants.
Our Board of Directors also deserve recognition for their efforts in securing Walk sponsors for the 2017 Walk for Autism. We have an outstanding supportive Board leading our way.
Thank you, again, for all your support. We are looking forward to seeing all those smiling faces at the 17th Annual Walk for Autism | April 28, 2018. If you haven't already, visit Facebook to view the official Walk photos provided by Carolyn and Ron Vollentine and Team Photos provided by Greg Coleman. Thank you, Carolyn, Ron and Greg for sharing your talents with us!
Sincerely, Tish Bartlett, Executive Director