On Sunday, Oct. 23, Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) celebrated its second annual YES Day for Autism™ — a fundraising and awareness campaign, topped with a community event and celebration at Tempe Beach Park!
SARRC welcomed more than 130 team participants, 36 event sponsors, and over 3,500 attendees who participated in the event to say “yes” to create more supportive and inclusive communities. Collectively, participants and sponsors alike helped SARRC exceed its $400,000 goal by nearly $25,000.
During the event, communities across Arizona were able to meet with over 50 autism resource providers, enjoy a free pumpkin patch thanks to Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation, a carnival zone, as well as an array of live entertainment from celebrity personal trainer Chris Powell and special musical guest CG5.
“YES Day is a day to celebrate all the ways we can say ‘yes’ to people with autism: from saying ‘yes’ to listening to and understanding people with autism, to early screening, diagnosis, and access to effective services, to high-quality education and healthcare, to training for first responders, to supporting employment opportunities for adults with autism, to innovative housing solutions, to building more supportive, inclusive communities across Arizona,” said SARRC President & CEO Daniel Openden. “This event continues to be a powerful and effective way for us to celebrate all the ways that we do, and still want to, say ‘yes.’”
Through SARRC’s YES Day for Autism, we will continue to celebrate what is possible when we work together, share resources, and collaborate effectively to say “yes” for people with autism and their families. And importantly, all dollars raised will stay in Arizona for Arizona.