4th Annual Wheeling Walk Now for Autism Raises Nearly $38,000
Despite thunderstorms and a tornado watch, 450 people in 54 teams walked the Warwood Trail on Saturday, May 31 in Wheeling, W.Va. for the 4th annual Walk Now for Autism. Among the walkers were Harv and Sandy Samuel, who traveled seven hours from Canada to walk for their grandson Nicholas in Team Nicholas.
Walk Chair Ellen Cicconi greeted the crowd and thanked them for their participation. Following her comments, Miss Teen West Virginia Brittany Bradshaw cut the ceremonial ribbon to begin the Walk. Entertainment was provided by the acoustic musicians of the Joe Zelek Band. Walkers also enjoyed appearances by Geoffrey the Giraffe from Toys”R”Us; Spike, the mascot of the Wheeling Nailers hockey team; a few Stormtroopers; and Running Rabbit, played by Justin Delbert, a child with Asperger's Syndrome.
Walk Chair Ellen Cicconi greeted the crowd and thanked them for their participation. Following her comments, Miss Teen West Virginia Brittany Bradshaw cut the ceremonial ribbon to begin the Walk. Entertainment was provided by the acoustic musicians of the Joe Zelek Band. Walkers also enjoyed appearances by Geoffrey the Giraffe from Toys”R”Us; Spike, the mascot of the Wheeling Nailers hockey team; a few Stormtroopers; and Running Rabbit, played by Justin Delbert, a child with Asperger's Syndrome.
450 participants joined the 4th annual Wheeling Walk Now for Autism, despite inclement weather
Highlights from the Wheeling
Walk Now for Autism
(YouTube video, ~1 minute)
Walk Now for Autism
(YouTube video, ~1 minute)
A number of generous sponsors contributed to the success of the Wheeling Walk Now for Autism. Ohio Valley Scale & Equipment and The Meadows Casino and Racetrack served as Silver Sponsors; Belmont County Board of Developmental Disabilities and Thorp Redd & Armstrong LLP served as Bronze Sponsors, and Concrete Fabricators, Trinity Health System and Wheeling Nisshin were Community Investors. Enjoy Life Foods, Glutino and EnerG Foods contributed tasty gluten free-casein free foods, Sledd Co. supplied most of the day's refreshments, and Starbucks provided coffee. Special thanks to returning Walk Chairs Ellen Cicconi and Leah Stout for making the Walk such a success, and to Warwood Elementary School Principal Mr. Andy Garber, who allowed the use of the elementary school facilities due to the inclement weather.
Visit the Wheeling Walk page or go to the Walk Now for Autism site to find a walk in your area.
Visit the Wheeling Walk page or go to the Walk Now for Autism site to find a walk in your area.
Volunteers including Bill Wimberg, Maryann Bressler and Kelly Bressler helped on Walk day.
Miss Teen West Virginia Brittany Bradshaw cuts the ceremonial ribbon to begin the Walk.
Colton Grimes, one of the Walk's youngest participants, walks for his Uncle Jamey.
Geoffrey the Giraffe stops to give a walker a high-five.
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