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FORTY FORT — Parking was scarce at the Forty Fort Sports and Recreation Complex on Saturday as hundreds flocked to the facility to show their support for autism awareness.
Hosted by Autism Awareness NEPA, the 10th annual Autism Awareness Fair kicked off Saturday morning along with a 5K run and family walk.
“The Autism Awareness NEPA committee started this 10 years ago as an effort to be able to promote awareness, and also raise money,” said Tara Quinn, walk chairwoman. “The intent is to be able to raise money to bring back to just our community. Not to send it out far away.”
“Our money stays local,” she said.
Quinn said the organization is hoping to raise between $40,000 and $50,000, which will be distributed to local businesses and organizations that work with individuals with autism through a series of grants.
As children played on a swing set behind her, 3-year-old Abigail Pantano sat still as Evergreen Behavioral Health employee Jamie Straw painted a pink cat on her face. Abigail was attending the event for the second year with her sister, Madelyn, and mother, Kristen. They family came out to support Kristen’s sister and her sons.
“Both of my nephews have autism, so we’re here to support them,” Kristen said. “I think (our attendance) is going to be an annual thing.”
Donning a bow with colorful puzzle pieces in her hair just before the family walk kicked off, Melissa Walker, Kristen’s sister, spoke about what this event means to her and her family.
“I feel that this is something we need to be a part of,” she said. “It’s just something I feel the word needs to be spread about. I didn’t know too much about autism before they were diagnosed with it. I had to do a lot of research.”
Her sons — Jerry Jr., 9, and Jacob, 5 — were both diagnosed about two years ago. Since then, Melissa and her family have not only researched autism, but decided to actively take part in community outreach activities for the cause.
“It’s just good to be a part of something for the greater good,” she said. “We’re just trying to get everybody involved, and the more support we can get for this the better it’s going to be for everyone.”
As guests mingled with characters like Red Robin’s “Red” and Buffalo Wild Wing’s “Blazing Bill,” Misericordia University cheerleaders were busy selling 50/50 and basket raffle tickets, as well as the annual Autism Awareness Fair T-shirts. Senior Megan David said the team wanted to come out and help support a good cause.
One of the organizations at the event was Cori’s Place, a local nonprofit that helps adults with disabilities acquire life and social skills. As children gathered in front of the stand to create their own sensory bottle, Deputy Director Tara Gwilliam talked about the organization as she helped children pick items for their bottles.
“My parents actually founded Cori’s Place,” she said. “It’s named after my sister who does have disabilities. They founded it for her and her friends when they weren’t too excited about the other programs being offered to her after she graduated high school.”
Gwilliam also explained the importance of sensory bottles for autistic individuals, and how each bottle is tailored to the individual’s own personal taste.
Quinn said it has been wonderful seeing the event grow year after year in both attendance and vendor participation. She said she’s happy to see families be able to find the help and information they need, as well as have a chance to connect with community organizations and businesses that offer various programs to those affected by autism.
“I think it’s just a great opportunity for families to come together in an open environment where everybody just really understands each other,” she said. “It’s nice to be able to have families come together.”