On April 28, Autism Services & Resources Connecticut (ASRC) hosted its annual Walk for Autism at Choate, taking nearly 1,200 participants on a 2.5-mile walk around the Wallingford downtown area and through the Choate campus. A tradition that started more than a decade ago, the walk raised money for ASRC to help provide resources for those affected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Established in 1997, ASRC is a non-profit organization located in Wallingford dedicated to helping those living with ASD and their families in Connecticut. “We want to embrace the wonders of autism and help families help their children have every opportunity in life,” said Julie Hipp, Board President of ASRC and Chairperson for the Walk for Autism event.
The organization offers a variety of workshops, events, and programs to promote involvement, advocate for better autism-related legislature, and help the ASD community improve skills such as developing interpersonal connections. “We touch over 20,000 families across the state,” said Ms. Hipp. Throughout the year, the organization holds other events, including the Annual Autism Resource Fair at the Oakdale Theater, the Autism Transition Forum co-hosted by Autism Speaks, and the Autism Puzzlethon.
The Walk for Autism is the largest annual fundraiser for ASRC. For this year’s walk, formal planning began during the fall when Choate Manager of Community Relations Brittany Barbaro worked closely with Julie Hipp and ASRC Executive Director Leslie Simoes to discuss basic logistics and finalize the contract. “[The walk] is always a major undertaking, as it is our key fundraiser each year,” noted Ms. Hipp.
Closer to the event, Choate coordinated with Community Safety and ABM Industries, the campus facilities management service, to mark the path of the walk. Additionally, the Walk for Autism is always followed by a festival on Wilkin Field, so chairs, tables, and electrical equipment needed to be available for use. A significant concern was the limited parking spaces that the Choate campus offers, especially since more than a thousand participants showed up. Choate was able to use nearby parking lots temporarily.
This year’s walk was the first time in two years that the event was held at Choate, having moved to Lyman Hall High School because of construction at Choate. “The visibility to the town is so much greater with the involvement with Choate. At LHHS, the walk was shorter and through wooded areas … just not as engaging with the community as it was this year again,” said Ms. Hipp.
Many Choate students volunteered to help, earning a couple of community service hours. “I had a phenomenal time last year,” said Ula Lucas ’21. “All the teams are so inspiring, and the energy is so positive and upbeat.”
Around 7:00 a.m., ASRC members and Choate student volunteers began setting up, organizing and arranging the vendor booths for the festival. The mid-morning rain showers resulted in lower attendance rates than in previous years, but the walk was able to start smoothly on time at 10:30 a.m. “Although it was wet and muddy, the organizers were in high spirits and everyone was having a good time,” said Will Flamm ’21. “It was a great way to start the morning by helping out the community.”
Many walkers showed up in colorful and creative costumes, a tradition for the event. “Some of our folks on the spectrum have special interests that we want to embrace and help them share what they love,” Ms. Hipp explained. Costume prizes were given for Best Team Spirit, Best Decked-Out Dog, Best Wagon, and Best Artwork for the T-Shirt Design.
Volunteers were set up around the town to act as “cheer ambassadors,” cheering on the teams and keeping up the overall energy of the event. “The atmosphere was filled with love and encouragement,” said Linda Phan ’22. “Every time I cheered on a group, I would receive back cheers that were double, even quadruple the volume.”
Wallingford locals also added fun elements through activities during the walk. The Wallingford Fire Station set out a bubble wrap walk, and a juggler performed for passersby at the YMCA.
By 12:30 p.m., most of the group had returned to campus and were enjoying the festival. In the festival, booths were set up for both ASD organizations and local businesses that employ adults on the autism spectrum. Food trucks provided a variety of food, and a sensory obstacle course offered a popular attraction for the younger participants.
Overall, the event was a huge success, with an estimated $100,000 raised through sponsors and team donations.
Ms. Hipp said, “The extra funds will help us to continue to develop resources — recreation, training, employment assistance, transition support, understanding the education system and how to advocate for your child, especially with adding services that include helping families with navigating social security benefits and adult benefits.”
