Karen Kosack is the Founder & Chairperson of the Autism Walk & Expo of the Hudson Valley Region!

She Is the proud mother of two children who are challenged with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She has worked as a Customer Service representative at Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation for the past 20 years and has also served as a Shop Steward for local 320 (IBEW Electrical Workers). She is an active proud board member of the Hudson Valley Autism Society Chapter # 512 (HVAS) and 2002 founded the first ever Hudson Valley Autism Walk & Awareness Fair for the entire Hudson Valley Region, which helped to raise autism awareness through local funding. Karen has been involved with several different fund-raising and autism awareness events over the past seven years and volunteers all her spare time to help make this region more aware of autism so her own two children will be more accepted in the community as well as the rest of the Hudson Valley Autistic Community. Her goal is to reach as many families with autistic children in this area, show them that they are not alone and let them know there are local funds and local support available to them. The Autism Walk is not only a day to raise awareness and local funds, but it is also a day that should serve as a family fun day for all!!!!!

Helen (Sis) Gonyea is Co-Chairperson of the Autism Walk & Expo of the Hudson Valley, married to Roy A Gonyea Jr. They have four adult children. Chris, Tim, Sue and Michael, who are all adults now and they also have a grandson named James. Their youngest child was diagnosed with Autism at age 3 ½ and since that time her and her husband have been involved in wanting to learn more about Autism. She is a charter member and the treasurer of the Hudson Valley Autism Society. She is also a member of ASD Connections, which is a group of parents and professionals working towards improving the lives of those afflicted with Autism. Sis works there along with, Patrice Baez of Mental Health in Ulster Co. who runs a support group for parents with autistic children. The reason Sis joined the Autism Walk & Expo Committee mainly to create awareness about Autism. Having an adult son with Autism, has caused Sis the need to give more education and understanding to those who work with the autistic population. She is very proud of being a part of this committee

Judy Kogut-O'Connell is Co-Chairperson of the Autism Walk & Expo of the Hudson Valley . She is the mother of twins with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Wife, and Local Business Owner. Judy has over 24 years experience with IBM and her current position there is a Procurement Contract Law Strategist. She is the President and owner of Creative Ceramics By You, Inc TM, which is a special needs friendly paint your own pottery studio located in Hopewell Junction. Judy is committed to raising funds for the local community so that she can not only raise awareness about Autism but ensure no other parent ever feels that they are a lone when they receive the diagnosis that their child or family member has ASD.

Donna M. Platt is the Treasurer of this event. She has a Masters in Education and has worked over 26 years Director of Operations for Holiday Inns. She also has 10 years Experience in Procurement for IBM. Donna is involved in the walk because she has a niece and nephew affected with this disorder and her one wish is to help find a cure for them. She has seen first hand how they struggle to figure out the tasks that we all take for granted such as brushing our teeth, social skills of answering a phone, saying hello, and making friends. It is important to her to help make others more aware and to make a small difference in their lives so someday they will be more independent.

Roxanne Ferber currently works as a case manager for individuals with developmental disabilities. Before this, she worked as a teacher's aid at a school for children with autism. Words cannot express how touched Roxanne was by this experience. She began working with the Hudson Valley Autism Society as a way to volunteer her knowledge in advertising and marketing. Now, she volunteers because she wants to help families get the resources and funding they need to live with autism. Roxanne has seen so many positive things come from the work that this committee does and is truly grateful for this experience!

Carol Hikade is the current President of Hudson Valley Autism Society Chapter # 512 (HVAS) as well as a committee member for the Autism Walk & Expo of the Hudson Valley. She became involved with HVAS through her position as a special education teacher. Carol wanted to have more opportunities to get the children in her classes and their families more out of the services that they need. Her entire family, which also includes her extended family, is involved in the Autism Walk & Expo. They all know it is a lot of work, but on Walk Day, they can all see how necessary it is.

Donna Kosack is a mother of three beautiful children and has a nephew and a niece challenged with Autism. The day her sister-in-law and brother-in-law told everyone that her nephew Casey was Autistic was devastating, but not shocking, She knew there was something different about Casey. Then, two years later, when her niece Alexis born, the news came again. This time, Donna was shocked because Alexis didn’t appear to be different. She felt it just couldn’t be. Her three children are very close in age to their cousins and love them very much. They did not hesitate for a moment to get involved. Donna’s family did this by educating themselves and the community around them and also by volunteering in the Awareness for Autism Walks each year. It is Donna’s hope, to see more compassion, understanding and for more tolerance and acceptance, for those that are different and see the world different than we do.

Jake Kosack has 2 cousins with autism (Casey and Alexis}). He has helped at the autism walk over the years. Three years ago his older sister, Kayla, started Pennies for Autism which is a fundraiser that raises money for autism in the Hudson Valley. When his sister left their elementary school, Jake and his sister Jacqueline continued the fundraiser. They raised nearly $2,000 Kayla his older sister raised over $2,000 at her school. They are planning to keep the fundraiser going. Jake feels that it is important for people to attend the Autism Walk and Expo every year and help cure the puzzle. He would like to thank you everyone for all their help.

Jacqueline Kosack has 2 cousins with autism (Casey and Alexis). She has helped at the walk over the years. Jacqueline always helps her Aunt Karen and Grandmother when she visits her cousins. Three years ago her older sister, Kayla, started Pennies for Autism, which is a fundraiser at school run by the children and the teachers. When her sister left elementary school, she and her brother Jake, continued the fundraiser. They raised nearly $2000, mostly in pennies to help children with autism. She and her brother plan to keep this fundraiser going in their elementary school even after they move on to middle school. Jacqueline hopes to see you at the walk so that you can help solve the puzzle.

Kayla Kosack is a 13 year old and has two cousins with autism. She is the founder of "Pennies for Autism." Kayla’s cousins inspired her to start this program because she felt that children need to be aware of autism! Kayla is a seventh grader in the Wappinger’s Central School District. This will be the third year she will be doing this program. She loves to act, sing and dance and participates in the drama club at her school. Her wish is that there soon there will be a cure for Autism and that everyone is aware of this disorder and understands it!

Hope Miller is 17 years old and has a 16 year old brother with Autism. Hope is a Senior at Spackenkill High School and will be attending SUNY Oneonta in the fall to study childhood education. Having a brother-with Autism has its ups and downs, but Hope can't imagine having anyone else as a brother. She wants to help raise awareness to let people know that they are not the only ones out there dealing with autism and that together we can make a difference.

Peggy Miller is a mother of a 16 year old boy with Autism and Myotonic Dystrophy. She volunteers for "The Walk" so parents and family members won't feel so lost and alone when they embark and endure this journey with their child. Peggy hopes that her experiences can help other and hopefully, by working together, we can connect the pieces of the puzzle.

Mark Storch Is the current Vice-President of HVAS and a parent of a beautiful 31 year old daughter, Jenny Marley Storch who is autistic. When she was a young child, living in Ulster County, there were few options available and little information. Mark got involved with HVAS at its inception and has been involved ever since. He does this so that other parents and caregivers can understand the options that they have and get the information they need. He also does this to increase awareness within the community.

Ginny Surico Has been a resident of Poughkeepsie, NY all of her life and has been blessed with two healthy boys, Mark 15 and Nelson 10. When her nephew and godchild, Daniel, was diagnosed with autism more than 10 years ago, she knew that his success would involve her entire extended family. Ginny always attended the walks, but three years ago her sister-in-law asked her to be on the committee due to some personnel changes. Ginny and her children participate in this walk because of Daniel, but Ginny also feels that her good fortune requires that she give something back to those who truly need it.