Autism Directory

                                                                                                                                Hudson Valley                                                                                      Service, Inc.

                                                                                                Autism Society

May 7, 2007

For Release:     Immediately                                                                                         

Contact:           Karen Kosack, Program Chair, 845-635-5236                                                           

Sixth Annual Hudson Valley Autism Walk and Awareness Fair A Grand Success

Sponsored by Autism Directory Service and the Hudson Valley Autism Society

(Rhinebeck, NY)  The sixth Annual Hudson Valley Autism Walk and Awareness Fair, held on Sunday, April 29, 2007, at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, raised more than $125,000, with more than 3,700 participants on hand to support the event. “The families of the Hudson Valley Region pulled together on a cold, cloudy day to raise support with their loved ones living with Autism,” said Walk Chairperson Karen Kosack. “The community really pulled through for another phenomenal event, and the Hudson Valley Autism Walk Committee is very appreciative of the support and turnout. This has been our biggest and most exciting walk yet.”

The goal of the annual walk is to educate parents and teachers; help spread the awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Hudson Valley community; raise funds for local respite, recreation and educational programs, including a small portion for research of this affliction which has no known cause or cure; and support families recently receiving the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, to show they are not alone.

Walkers included several family teams, school teams and individuals, as well as corporate teams, including Entergy, Best Buy, Kohl’s and Target. Also, 45 resource booths on Autism and related services were available to the public. In addition, local businesses and organizations lent their support: refreshments were donated by Price Chopper, Deising’s Bakery & Coffee Shop, My Brother Bobby’s Salsa, Thomas O. Miller & Company Inc. and Culligan; tents, table and chair rentals were donated by Rhinebeck Tent Rentals; children’s bounce castle and fire engines slide was donated by Party Time; and Rookie, the mascot of the Hudson Valley Renegades, was on hand to greet the community. Additional sponsorships were provided by Royal Carting, The Harley Owners Group of Orange County, Pony Express, and Rolling Thunder, which raised $1,000 through a ride-along of 79 motorcycles for Autism Awareness.

Special thanks is extended to the emergency personnel of the NYS Troopers; Dutchess County Sheriff; Rhinebeck Fire Department; Northern Dutchess Paramedics; Mt. Beacon Amateur Radio Club; Modell’s Child Find Registry; Mark Bolger and Kimberly Kay of Star 93.3 and Clear Channel Radio, for their help in promoting this year’s event; Robert Grems and Brenda Locke of the Dutchess County Fairgrounds for hosting the Walk; and to all the attendees and participants.

Organizers recognize the elected leaders and officials supporting this great cause, including Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand; Senator Steve Saland; Director of Taconic Developmental Disabilities Services Office John Mizerak; Assemblyman Joel Miller; Assemblyman Kevin Cahill; and Congressman Maurice Hinchey, who arranged to have a flag flown over Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. for Autism Awareness.

Jenny Marley Storch, from Ulster County, and twins Josh & Robin O’Connell from Dutchess County, all challenged with Autism Spectrum Disorder, were co-grand marshals and presided over this year’s ribbon cutting. Casey Aguiar, from Dutchess County and also challenged with Autism, participated in the Pledge of Allegiance in front an audience of 3,700 walkers.

“Every year our extended family grows larger, as it is estimated that every 20 minutes a new family in the United States learns a loved one has Autism Spectrum Disorder. I see this as reaching epidemic levels,” said Kosack. “We need to stand firmly as a community to continue to raise autism awareness for those individuals and families living with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and to educate those around us so that the community will embrace our loved ones affected by this disorder. Together, with community residents of the Hudson Valley and the strong and hard-working Walk committee members, we will be sure our voice is heard so we can make a difference. Thank you to all our new and returning families and sponsors who supported this great event!”

The Autism Directory Service and the Hudson Valley Autism Society hopes to see all participants again next year, when the walk will be held at Dutchess County Fairgrounds on Sunday, April 27, 2007.  Please visit www.walkforautism.com for more information, and to learn more of upcoming events in the Hudson Valley region.   

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