MANSFIELD — The Autism Awareness Walk-a-Thon steps off this Saturday, Sept. 30 at the Richland County Fairgrounds.
“We took a break from the walk last year and held a bike-a-thon, but this year we are so excited to bring the walk back,” said Debbie Melching, event organizer and founder of Autism Awareness Walk-a-thon, Inc.
The event isn’t just a walk, but a movement aimed at raising awareness of a disorder that is said to affect one in 68 children in the United States.
The cause is personal for Melching, whose 15-year-old grandson was diagnosed with autism at age 3.
Melching said it doesn’t matter how many laps a person logs. Some walk as long as three hours, while others don’t walk at all — instead they donate money and come to show their support.
The event takes place at the fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be informational tables, food, raffles and a bounce house. Kids Party Dude is also slated to perform.
Attendees are asked to pay a $10 donation at the door or fill out a pledge sheet, pledging to raise a certain amount of money.
Proceeds stay within Richland County to help local families affected by autism.
Melching noted that for those unable to attend the walk but that still want to chip in, donations are accepted year-round through Autism Awareness Walk-a-thon’s account at Richland Bank. Donations will also be accepted on Nov. 28 via Richland Gives.
Autism Awareness Walk-a-thon, Inc. — a registered nonprofit — has been able to provide assistance to local families with the following services and items: Friendly House socialization from A-Z, Raemelton Equestrian Center, Project Lifesaver, sensory equipment, transportation, summer camp, supplements, GF/CF diet, bio-medical, therapies and iPads.
If anyone would like to apply for services provided by Autism Awareness Walk-a-thon, contact Melching at 419-589-8762 or at aaweb@yahoo.com.
Melching emphasized the need for education, referencing the incident at Crestline Elementary School in which a 7-year-old student with autism was dragged through the school hallways. She said she wrote letters to every school in Richland County, as well as Crestline Local Schools, inviting them to participate in the walk-a-thon and learn more about autism, but received no response.
“Anyone anymore knows someone with autism,” she said. “We all need the education.”
She intends to do more education on the disorder next year.
“My plan is to do training and education,” she said. “Training on autism for educators, the court system, the public in general.”
