To view the full press release, click HERE.
All are invited to join the Autism Society of Central Virginia for a day of community, celebration, and support honoring our local autism community. On May 18, Crump Park in Glen Allen will transform into a vibrant hub of connection and empowerment as over 1,200 attendees gather for our 22nd Anniversary 5K & Family Fun Day.
“The day is more than a race; it’s a festival and a place for members of our local community to find connection and support, and to bring families together in a powerful way,” says Executive Director Ann Flippin.
Over 88 teams of families, companies, and community organizations have come together and worked hard to fundraise over the last several months to help reach our $130,000 goal, and the day will culminate and celebrate their incredible efforts.
But it’s not just about fundraising — it’s about coming together as a community. The 22nd annual event will feature a Resource Fair showcasing a variety of community partners and providers offering services to autistic individuals of all ages. Additionally, attendees can look forward to food trucks, visits from Nutzy, costumed Princesses, Star Wars characters, a bouncy slide, obstacle course, photo booth, and more in the Kids Zone sponsored by Compass Behavioral Group, LLC. Two sensory zones, hosted by Attain ABA and Mosaic Pediatric Therapy, will also offer activities and breaks for our guests.
The morning will feature a 5K run/walk, where participants will join together to cover 3.1 miles surrounding Crump Park, followed by an awards ceremony and on-stage entertainment. “The event will be an invaluable opportunity and inspiring event for individuals and caregivers whose loved ones have received recent diagnoses, our members who know us well, and those who support their friends impacted by autism,” Flippin adds.
Registration is currently open at www.ascv5k.org, with registration fees of $40; day-of registration is offered on-site at $45.
At the heart of this event is ASCV’s mission to support, empower, and build connections within our local autism community. Through over 400 social & recreational, support, educational, and advocacy programs, ASCV reached nearly 10,000 participants in 2023 alone, marking a significant growth in both social and recreational programming by over 20% and support programming by over 40%.
With autism diagnoses on the rise, affecting one in 36 children today, the demand for ASCV’s services has never been greater. The funds raised from this event will play a crucial role in sustaining and expanding ASCV’s vital programs and services.
Join us on May 18 at Crump Park to celebrate community, support, and empowerment at ASCV’s 22nd Anniversary 5K & Family Fun Day!
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For more than 40 years, the Autism Society of Central Virginia (ASCV) has been proud to serve as one of the region’s premier sources of education, advocacy, services, and support for individuals with autism, their families and friends, and professionals. ASCV’s mission is to support, empower, and build connections to improve the lives of all in our local autism community.
Learn more about ASCV: https://ascv.org
Register for the event: ascv5k.org
Thank You to the ASCV Challenge, 5K & Family Fun Day Sponsors: