Step by step: Zan’s Mission laces up for 2nd annual Autism Walk

MANSFIELD — The finish line means more than the end of the walk for Zan’s Mission.

The second annual Zan’s Mission Autism Walk will raise money to help the organization continue offering family events, expand its outreach and provide more services to families in the community.

The walk takes place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 7 at 1710 Lorkay Dr. Registration costs $55 and includes entry to the walk and an official event T-shirt. Registration must be completed by Sept. 4 at 5 p.m.

“This event is important because it will be our main fundraising effort for this year to provide our free family events during the holidays and provide outreach in the community,” Founder and President Stevanie Brown said.

Brown and her husband, Mike, founded Zan’s Mission to provide support, resources and community events for children with special needs and their families.

The Mifflin couple named the nonprofit organization after their son, Zander, who has epilepsy and was diagnosed with Level 2 Autism. The organization grew out of the Browns’ experiences as parents and their desire to see more access to resources for local families.

Brown previously told Richland Source Zan’s Mission focuses on creating activities that account for sensory sensitivities, wheelchair accessibility and developmental delays — needs that can make traditional community events difficult for some families.

“We would love to add some more services on top of the free holiday events we have provided in the past,” she said.

Zan’s Mission has previously hosted sensory-friendly Easter and Christmas events for families who may need a less stimulating environment.

A new location, new additions

This year’s event will bring several changes for participants.

Zan’s Mission had its first Autism Walk on the bike trail. This year marks the first time the organization will host the event at Kindred Kove.

(Story continues below. Photos from the first Zan’s Mission Autism Walk. Images provided by Stevanie Brown)

“This will be our second year hosting it, first year with Kindred Kove,” Brown said.

The walk also will feature a route around a pond and through the property.

Brown said about five or six families attended last year’s event.

She added Zan’s Mission had been operating for only about a month when last year’s walk took place.

The event will feature vendors and sponsorship opportunities for the first time. Zan’s Mission also has a new shirt design for the walk.

Sponsorship opportunities include a $1,000 Champion Sponsor, a $500 Community Sponsor and a $250 Friend of Zan’s Mission sponsorship. Registration for sponsorships must be completed by Sept. 4.

Zan’s Mission also accepts item donations for participant refreshments, snacks and special gifts for youth with special needs who attend the walk.

For the Browns, the walk is part of a larger effort to create more resources for local families.

When Autism Walk-a-Thon founder Debbie Melching retired in 2023, Brown said she knew families would feel the loss of those opportunities. Melching’s retirement was the push the Browns needed to start a nonprofit of their own.

The fundraiser will help the organization continue building those opportunities for local families.