KeyBank has contributed to this year’s St. Lawrence NYSARC Autism Awareness Walk. From left are KeyBank Canton Branch Manager Randy Burke, KeyBank S.V.P. Relationship Manager Steven Pierce, St. Lawrence NYSARC President Patricia Campanella, and, and St. Lawrence NYSARC CEO/Executive Director Daphne Pickert.

CANTON -- St. Lawrence NYSARC (www.slnysarc.org) is holding a walk to promote awareness of autism spectrum disorders at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 15 from the Canton Village Park on Main Street.

The event is hosted by Team NYSARC and KeyBank is the presenting sponsor. Additional sponsors include Mix 96.1, Pepsi Cola Ogdensburg Bottlers, Sullivan’s Office Supply/Season’s Gift Shop, and the Potsdam Elks BPOE #2074.

The Autism Awareness Walk is a non-competitive walk to promote education about autism and support services offered by St. Lawrence NYSARC for children and young adults with autism.

Walkers who raise $50 or more will receive a free Autism Awareness Walk t-shirt, while supplies last. The first 300 registered participants will get a free gift bag.

To register for St. Lawrence NYSARC’s Autism Awareness Walk contact Senior Program Associate, Susan Gibbons, at 386-3529, sgibbons@slnysarc.org, or visit www.slnysarc.org.

This year’s event will include face painting and free Zumba presented by Gotta Dance Studio! Mix 96.1 will broadcast live from the park. There will be attendance from community organizations including the Potsdam Elks Lodge Drug Awareness Trailer and St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s D.A.R.E. and Child ID programs. Food and beverages will be available at the park. Pepsi Cola Ogdensburg Bottlers will be at the start and finish line with their donation of Pepsi products for walkers. North Country Dairy, LLC is donating yogurt for everyone. St. Lawrence NYSARC will be giving away Autism Awareness items during the walk to several lucky winners. Additional details will be provided at the Walk.

“Since 2007, the dedicated supporters of the Autism Walk have made it possible for St. Lawrence NYSARC to provide services to more than 100 children,” said Daphne Pickert, CEO/Executive Director of St. Lawrence NYSARC. “We appreciate the support of our communities and especially our parents and friends who make such a significant contribution to the success of this walk.”

St. Lawrence NYSARC’s Children and Youth Program provides individualized services for people with developmental disabilities from three to 22 years old with a specialization in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Students participate in a variety of skill development activities addressing social, daily living and academic skills using principles and procedures of Applied Behavior Analysis. Additionally, services are offered in the child’s home, in the community, and occasionally in their local school district. For more information, contact Nancy Davis at 379-9531 or email ndavis@slnysarc.org.