2008 Walk Now for Autism - Ontario

Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex Joins 5,500 Participants at the 4th Annual Ontario Walk Now for Autism

Families came from across Ontario on Sunday, June 8, to walk in Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto, Canada, for the 4th annual Ontario Walk Now for Autism. 5,500 walkers on 325 teams raised over $610,000.

The Walk was honored to welcome His Royal Highness, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, who met with families on the square, spoke during the opening ceremonies and cut the Walk banner on stage.

During the opening ceremonies, Steven Wise, the Chair of event sponsor KRG Children's Charitable Foundation, spoke passionately about the needs of local families and charged corporate Canada to get on-board to raise money and awareness. Wise encouraged every walker to continue their fundraising efforts and extended KRG's pledge of $2 for every registered walker who raised $100 or more beyond the day of the Walk.

Also in attendance were representatives from all three provincial government parties, including Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Education, and Deb Matthews, Minister of Child & Youth Services; Dr. Wendy Roberts and Dr. Alvin Loh, co-private investigators for Toronto's Autism Treatment Network site (ATN); and Autism Speaks President Mark Roithmayr and Executive Vice President of Fundraising and Development Glenn Tringali.

Entertainment was provided by Juno Award-winning children's entertainer Jack Grunsky and his daughter Cosima. Along the Walk route, three young men with autism, Josh Weinberg, Ken Moon, and Mike Kumi-Bonsu, held flags. During the closing ceremonies, teenage sisters Jennifer and Melissa Gambacorta shared a poem about their six year old brother Nicholas, trying to put into words what he cannot. Antonella Vizinni, mother of Dante, a boy on the spectrum, finished the day with a beautiful rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."

The at-capacity resource fair showcased 15 organizations and companies, including Unity for Autism Foundation, the Toronto ATN Site and Autism Dog Services.

In addition to KRG, many generous sponsors contributed to the success of the Ontario Walk Now for Autism. Today's Parent, Canada's national parenting magazine, donated $30,000 of advertising space. Mr. Case online groceries supplied $5000 worth of snacks and water on Walk day. Special thanks to Walk Chairs Marci Evans, Nancy Morrison, Gideon Sheps and Jyoti Sanwalka for making the 4th annual Ontario Walk such a success.

Visit the Ontario Walk page or go to the Walk Now for Autism site to find a walk in your area.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• autism
• speaks
• walk
• now
• for
• ontario
• canada
• fundraiser