Why We Walk

Sneakers – check. Water bottles – check. Everyone buckled up in cars – check. Enough gas for a 200-mile round-trip commute to walk approximately one mile – huh??

On Saturday, March 20, employees from Toys“R”Us Merritt Island in Florida and their friends and family drove two hours each way to participate in the Walk Now for Autism Speaks: Treasure Coast event in Jansen Beach, Florida. Although the drive was long, it was well worth it.

Like countless others, these Toys“R”Us employees know people whose lives have been impacted by autism, including the store’s assistant manager who has a son on the spectrum. Participating in the Walk is one of the many ways they advocate on behalf of their colleague as well as show support the autism community. In addition to the Walk, these employees work hard to collect donations at Toys“R”Us Merritt Island as part of the company’s in-store fundraising campaign to help Autism Speaks in its efforts to solve the puzzle of autism.

Everyone who attended the Walk from Toys“R”Us Merritt Island had fun, and ear-to-ear grins were seen all around. The Toys“R”Us team was incredibly proud of the money they raised for Autism Speaks and were moved when they saw, first-hand, some of the families who benefit from the organization’s efforts to fund research, advocate on behalf of impacted families and grow awareness for the disorder. Of course, the children at the event had a blast when they met and took pictures with iconic mascot Geoffrey the Giraffe as he led the Walk. Between all the laughter, high fives, hugs and smiles, it was hard to tell who enjoyed the event the most.

To find a local Walk Now for Autism Speaks event near you, please visit www.WalkNowForAutismSpeaks.org.