BALTIMORE — Volunteers for the The 2019 Autism Speaks Walk are ready to see the Johnny Unitas Stadium filled with families walking to raise funds for Autism Speaks. This year's walk will take place on Sunday October 6.
Noreen Hiltz is one of the committee members helping to make the day of fun a huge success.
"We want the families to have the best time ever," said Hiltz. "We’ve worked really hard over the past year to raise as much money as they can so that’s why we provide different types of activities for their kid who’s on the spectrum. So that they enjoy their time and its a big celebration."
She found the Autism Speaks organization after her son, Danny, was diagnosed with autism in 2003. Not only did she find resources and a community that welcomed her, she also found a way to give back to the community that helped her.
"He is now an honor roll student and in tenth grade and doing great with plans to go to college and that's all because of Autism speaks...It provides the tools, the resources, you can call Autism Speaks and ask them any question that you want to," said Hiltz. "If you’re just having a bad day, because autistic parents we have our bad days, you can just call them and have someone to talk to that understands where you’re coming from and that’s all provided free by Autism Speaks because of these walks and because of the money that we raise."
Sarah Goldstein is the Manager for the Baltimore Field office of Autism Speaks and invites everyone to come out and give the walk a try.
"Just come and see what the walk is like and then you can learn information because we will have a tent that’s got Autism Speaks resources available so we're just introducing them to a fun atmosphere and then it gives them an opportunity to learn more about the services that we provide," said Goldstein.
85 cents of every dollar raised by Autism Speaks goes directly into the community to support the families affected by autism. To donate or sign up for the walk click HERE.
