15,000 Walkers Raise Over $1.2 Million
at Los Angeles Walk Now for Autism
at Los Angeles Walk Now for Autism
The 6th Annual Los Angeles Walk Now for Autism took place at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Saturday, April 26. The Walk attracted 15,000 participants this year, a 25% increase in participation over 2007, and raised more than $1.2 million.
Official media sponsor KABC-TV provided the Master of Ceremonies, morning news anchor Phillip Palmer, for the fifth consecutive year. Prior to the Walk, Representative Adam B. Schiff (D - CA), a co-sponsor of the Expanding the Promise for Individuals with Autism Act (EPIAA), addressed the crowd. Councilman Dennis Zine presented a proclamation recognizing April 2, 2008 as World Autism Awareness Day in the City of Los Angeles.Former Los Angeles Dodger Jim Gott, who has two children with autism, talked about his experiences as a parent.
Official media sponsor KABC-TV provided the Master of Ceremonies, morning news anchor Phillip Palmer, for the fifth consecutive year. Prior to the Walk, Representative Adam B. Schiff (D - CA), a co-sponsor of the Expanding the Promise for Individuals with Autism Act (EPIAA), addressed the crowd. Councilman Dennis Zine presented a proclamation recognizing April 2, 2008 as World Autism Awareness Day in the City of Los Angeles.Former Los Angeles Dodger Jim Gott, who has two children with autism, talked about his experiences as a parent.
Los Angeles City Councilman Dennis Zine, Walk Chair Priscilla Picard, U.S. Congressman Adam Schiff and LA Chapter Executive Director Phillip Hain with a proclamation that recognized April 2, 2008 as World Autism Awareness Day in the City of Los Angeles.
Highlights from the Los Angeles Walk Now for Autism
(YouTube video, ~3 minutes)
(YouTube video, ~3 minutes)
Fun-Ja-La, which features musicians who were in Santana, GAP Band and Graham Central Station, entertained the crowd. Dual Eyed Mic and the USC Trojan Marching Band and Song Girls returned in 2008 for a repeat performance. As walkers started the route, they were motivated by the upbeat sounds of the Jordan High School Long Beach drum line. In addition, several members of the ABC-7 news team were present to greet participants and hand out autographed pictures. They promoted the Walk for the entire week preceding the event, did a live on-site broadcast that morning and featured another segment on the evening news. Radio station 102.7 KIIS-FM formed a walk team and promoted the event through PSAs and brochure distribution.
The nation's largest Walk Now for Autism resource fair featured an astonishing lineup of 122 booths, including: The Dogwish Foundation, which trains dogs for free to help the disabled, My Helping Shadow, which offers early intervention, behavior intervention, and academic tutoring, and The Special Children's Art Foundation, an organization that provides children with special needs, their families and mainstream community members the opportunity to engage in socially inclusive mural art projects.
Special thanks to Walk Chair Priscilla Picard, who was presented with a Founder's Award at the 2008 Autism Speaks Annual Volunteer Conference, for making this walk so successful.
Visit the Los Angeles Walk page or go to the Walk Now for Autism site to find a walk in your area.
The nation's largest Walk Now for Autism resource fair featured an astonishing lineup of 122 booths, including: The Dogwish Foundation, which trains dogs for free to help the disabled, My Helping Shadow, which offers early intervention, behavior intervention, and academic tutoring, and The Special Children's Art Foundation, an organization that provides children with special needs, their families and mainstream community members the opportunity to engage in socially inclusive mural art projects.
Special thanks to Walk Chair Priscilla Picard, who was presented with a Founder's Award at the 2008 Autism Speaks Annual Volunteer Conference, for making this walk so successful.
Visit the Los Angeles Walk page or go to the Walk Now for Autism site to find a walk in your area.
Walkers gathered in the Resource Fair during the opening ceremony.
The Rose Bowl stadium sported the Walk Now for Autism and Autism Speaks banners.
Top fundraising teams Greenbean and Deloitte prepare to cut the ribbon, officially starting the walk.
Master of Ceremonies Phillip Palmer, morning news anchor from KABC-TV, the official walk media sponsor
The University of Southern California Trojan Band entering to play the national anthem at the start of the opening ceremony
All photo credits:Santosh Peters
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