One-mile awareness walk is Saturday

Joining Hands for AutismAmerican Press

<p class="p1">The eighth Annual Joining Hands for Autism awareness walk is being held this Saturday, and already a great number of supporters have registered for the event. 

<p class="p3">Organizer Ada O’Quain said that this year’s numbers have already exceeded those from the most recent years, and she hopes to see that trend continue.  

<p class="p3">“We are thrilled to announce that we have over 700 people who have early registered for the walk and we cannot wait to see everyone this weekend,” O’Quain stated. 

<p class="p3">Registration for the one-mile walk will continue online until noon Friday and until 4 p.m. Friday at the St. Louis Catholic High School. Early registration costs are $25 per person.

<p class="p3">On-site registration will begin at 7 a.m. Saturday at the cost of $30 per person inside the school’s gymnasium where O’Quain said guests will find doughnuts, bagels and drinks for all to enjoy. A banner created by St. Louis high school students will be on display where families and friends will have the opportunity to create their very own puzzle piece that will be added to the banner before the start of the walk. 

<p class="p3">Each year, the walk is held to raise awareness and support for individuals on the autism spectrum, and serves as a primary fundraiser for the St. Nicholas Center, Autism Services of Southwest Louisiana and the Autism Society. 

<p class="p3">O’Quain said that the event also serves as a way to teach inclusion to the surrounding community for those diagnosed with autism. 

<p class="p3">“It makes me so happy each year to see this event touch the lives of individuals with autism and their families. It gives us that opportunity to show them that we care and that we are here for them,” she stated. 

<p class="p3">The walk will begin at 8 a.m. with a warm up lead by Allie Ieyoub Davis of Project Fit to begin at 7:30. Mayor Nic Hunter and city councilman John Ieyoub will offer a presentation, to be followed by a blessing over the event offered by Father Brian King.  

<p class="p3">The walk will officially begin at 8 a.m. and will be immediately followed by an awards ceremony that will recognize the largest team, the team with the most donations, and the team with the most creative T-shirt design. 

<p class="p3">Anyone interested in more information about the walk or the registration may contact O’Quain at 337-491-0800. 

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