Autism Walk and Expo of the Hudson Valley Region A Grand Success
Sponsored by Autism Society, Hudson Valley
May 7, 2010
For Release: Immediately
Contact: Karen Kosack, President & Founder, Program Chair, Parent Member,
T.D.D.S.O – Autism Advisory Panel Member, 845-546-6962
(RHINEBECK, NY) The Autism Walk & Expo of the Hudson Valley Region raised more than $100,000, and more than 1,800 participants attended in support of the event. The fundraiser was held on Sunday, April 25, 2010 at Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck.
The focus of this event is to educate parents and teachers; to help spread the awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Hudson Valley community; to raise funds for local respite, recreation and educational programs, including a small portion for research of this affliction which has no known cause or cure; and to support families recently receiving the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, to show they are not alone.
“Despite the rain and cool spring weather, local families and businesses of the Hudson Valley region pulled together to raise funds and support their loved ones living with Autism,” said Founder and Walk Chairperson Karen Kosack, a mother of two children living with Autism Spectrum Disorder. “The community really showed their support in what turned out to be an amazing day, and the Autism Walk and Expo Committee and Autism Society, Hudson Valley are forever grateful for the incredible support,” she said. “A special thanks goes to Robert Grems, manager of the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, for his warm opening remarks to the Hudson Valley Autistic Community, and to Andy Imperati, Operations Manager, for helping the event run so smoothly.” Mark Bolger and Kimberly Kay of Star 93.3 were the Masters of Ceremonies for the event.”
More than 40 family, school and corporate teams joined the hundreds of individual walkers to raise money for local programs. In addition, more than 45 resource booths on Autism and related services were available to the public.
“Every 20 minutes a new family in the United States will receive a diagnosis that a loved one is on the autism spectrum. I see this as reaching epidemic levels,” said Kosack. “These young children will grow into adulthood, and they need our ongoing support now and throughout the rest of their lives. With more than 1 in 110 children being born with autism today, we need to stand firm as a community to continue to raise awareness for those individuals and families living with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and continue to educate those around us so that the community will embrace our loved ones. Together, with my strong and hard working committee members and community residents of the Hudson Valley, we will be sure our voice is heard so we can make a difference. Thanks to all who took part in this amazing event. Each one is truly an essential piece in helping connect the pieces to the puzzle.”
Major support and sponsors for the Walk include Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Orange County New York H.O.G. Chapter 3315, Star 93.3 with Mark Bolger & Kimberly Kay, Entergy, Best Buy, Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp., Anderson Center for Autism, Hannaford Supermarkets, Price Chopper, Shop Rite, PartyTime Rentals, Thomas O. Miller & Company Inc., Wachovia, Best Buy, Sam’s Club, Cablevision and Broadway Cares. Visit www.Autism-WalkHV.org for a complete list of sponsors.
“An extra special thanks goes to our local emergency responders, including Dutchess County Sheriff, Ulster County Sheriff, Rhinebeck Fire Dept., Northern Dutchess Paramedics and New York State Troop K,” said Kosack. “Thanks also to PartyTime Rentals, A Horse Connection for their miniature ponies, Clear Channel Radio for their help in promoting this year’s event, the Hudson Valley Renegades, the 4-H Club and Drums-2-Go for activities enjoyed by so many children.”
The Walk & Expo committee also extends a special thanks to the elected officials who supported this great cause, including Assemblyman Marc Molinaro; Director of Taconic Developmental Disabilities Services Office John Mizerak; Assemblyman Joel Miller; Assemblyman Kevin Cahill, Assemblyman Peter Lopez; Dutchess County Legislature Joel Tyner; Allison Epstein, regional representative of the New York State Governor’s office; and to Congressman Maurice Hinchey, who arranged to have a flag flown over Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. for Autism Awareness.
Team Wintergreen of Hopewell Junction cut the ribbon to start the walk and provided a generous donation of $25,000 in honor of family members Michael Fedigan and Dean Bredthauer to support this vital cause. Boy Scout Troop #17 of Fairview, Poughkeepsie, performed the Flag Ceremony, while Casey and Alexis Aguiar of Dutchess County, also challenged with Autism, lead the committee children in Pledge of Allegiance in front an audience of 1,800 attendees. Sara Costigan, a young teenager living with autism, sang the National Anthem. Local author of ATYPICAL, Jesse Saperstein was on hand doing a book-signing the day of the event.
“We hope to see you all next year at the next Autism Walk and Expo of the Hudson Valley Region, which will be held on Sunday, April 10, 2011 at Dutchess County Fairgrounds,” said Kosack.
To register, and for additional information about the Walk, activities and sponsors, contact Kosack at (845) 226-7525, or visit www.autismwalkhv.org For more information on autism, visit the Autism Society of America’s website at
www.autism-society.org.
