2,000 Walkers Join 5th Annual San Diego Walk Now for Autism Last years San Diego Walk Now for Autism was cancelled due to the regions tragic wildfires, but the communitys 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 bands 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 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 Childrens Autism Intervention Center (San Diego Childrens 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 ToysRUs 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 Johns of San Diego, which presented a check onstage. Mike Arnold, Papa Johns 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 companys director of human resources, Kimberly. Thanks to Mikes efforts, Papa Johns 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. Kays son-in-law Aaron, daughter Krystal and daughter Kaycee also actively contributed as committee members. Likey 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.
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