Manchester, N.H. — Over 900 people walked for Autism Speaks Sunday at the Southern New Hampshire University in an effort to raise funds for the organization’s projects that are geared towards autism research as well as providing numerous services to children with autism spectrum disorder, and their families.
Families from both Vermont and Maine gathered at the campus to show their support for the cause.
Walk Now for Autism Speaks involved a one-mile walk within the Southern New Hampshire University. The event was graced with the appearance of special guests WLNH 98.3 DJ “Mya,” the University of New Hampshire Men’s basketball team, and a number of representatives from the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon.
Autism Speaks says the 10th annual walk was able to raise over $140,000 in funds to date. According to Jay Petros:
“The more awareness and money we can raise, it can go to advocating for those kids, providing family services, and getting that awareness out there. It’s what really relates to the acceptance at the end of the day for children with autism.”
Walk Now for Autism was supported by a number of local service providers who set up information tables at the event. Among them were New York Life, which provided a child ID service for free, and Home Depot, which provided fun activities for children at the event’s activity area for kids.
Source: WMUR.COM: Hundreds of people walked at SNHU Sunday for autism awareness