What. A. Day. ☀️

On August 10, 2025, nearly 200 walkers, volunteers, and community champions came together for the 10th Annual SAAAC Walk-A-Thon—and what unfolded was nothing short of extraordinary.

Thanks to your generosity and energy, we raised an incredible $156,825, the most we’ve ever raised in the history of our Walk-A-Thon! This is more than just a number—it’s a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we walk together.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to:

  • Every walker who showed up, step after step.
  • Every donor who gave with heart.
  • Every volunteer who poured their energy into making the day seamless and joyful.
  • And every staff member who worked tirelessly behind the scenes.

And of course, none of this would be possible without the incredible support of our sponsors:

Walking Together for a Decade

What started as a small walk with a handful of families, dedicated volunteers, and a dream to raise awareness has blossomed into one of SAAAC’s most cherished annual traditions.

Over the years, our Walk-A-Thon has evolved with heart and creativity—some years featuring community garage sales, others filled with cooking demos and food stalls (a tradition that still lives on today!). What’s remained constant is the community spirit: families walking side-by-side, volunteers showing up with passion, and new committee members and sponsors adding their voices to the growing chorus of support.

Even during the most challenging times—like the COVID-19 pandemic—our community found a way to come together. With in-person events on pause, we pivoted to virtual health and wellness challenges, encouraging families to walk, bike, or move from wherever they were. What began as a creative response to crisis has since become a lasting tradition. These challenges not only kept us connected during a difficult year, but also provided critical funding that allowed us to continue serving families when they needed us most. Today, that spirit of wellness and movement lives on as a core part of our Walk-A-Thon experience.

Each year, we’ve grown—welcoming more partners, more walkers, and more magic. This 10th year marked a beautiful moment of reflection and celebration for how far we’ve come together—and a powerful reminder of the resilience, creativity, and care that define this community.

Why This Year Matters More Than Ever

The funds raised this year are going directly toward enhancing adult services at the SAAAC Autism Centre. While there is growing awareness of the needs of children with autism, support often fades once they enter adulthood. But autism doesn’t go away at 18. In fact, that’s when many new challenges begin.

Autistic adults often face barriers to:

  • Independence: From managing money to navigating public transit, daily life can be overwhelming without support.
  • Community connection: Loneliness and isolation are common, as adults on the spectrum may struggle to build relationships or find inclusive spaces.
  • Employment: Despite having skills and drive, autistic adults are among the most underemployed populations in Canada.

At SAAAC, we’re working to change that.

Our adult programs focus on life skills training, employment readiness, creative expression, and community engagement—helping individuals build confidence and take meaningful steps toward independence. Whether it’s learning to cook, practicing workplace routines, or finding artistic outlets, our goal is to support every adult’s journey with care and dignity. With funds raised, we can allocate funding to programs such as:

the Goodness Gift:

or the SPARKS Incubator:

Making Access Possible

This year’s Walk-A-Thon funding allows us to heavily subsidize or completely cover the costs of adult programming, so no family is turned away due to financial limitations. That means more families will get access to the services they need without having to worry about affordability.

You didn’t just walk—you opened doors, lifted barriers, and paved pathways for growth.

As we close out this milestone year, we’re already dreaming bigger for 2026. Thank you for making our 10th Walk-A-Thon not just a celebration—but a turning point.