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Hernando Today

Hundreds Walk For Autism

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By TONY HOLT

Published: April 20, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - BROOKSVILLE - Leslie Bolin's friends are amazed at how she keeps her emotions from bubbling to the surface.
She is the mother of two young autistic children, both of whom were diagnosed about a year apart.
Other hardships have befallen her and her family, but Bolin remained strong throughout. She usually keeps the tears from rolling down her face.
Saturday morning was a different story. She and her friends watched through blurry eyes as hundreds of people took part in the First Annual Hernando Autism Walk.
"There has been more love and teamwork here than I've ever seen in my life," she said. "We all were crying and thrilled with the turnout from the community."
The event took place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the track at Central High School. There was live entertainment, door prizes, a silent auction and games for the children.
The walk was organized by the Hernando Autism Parenting and Personal Experience Network (H.A.P.P.E.N.).
The group was founded by Bolin after she was told by her doctor there was no support in Hernando County for parents with autistic children. The walk was a sign of how much that has changed in the last couple of years thanks to her and other local mothers.
"This has been awesome," said H.A.P.P.E.N. member Thresia Lee, a mother of twin boys, one of whom is autistic. "It was a much larger turnout than expected. We're really excited we got the participation from the community that we did."
There were 30 businesses that donated and another 50 or more residents who gave money to the cause. Prior to Saturday's walk, more than $7,000 had been raised. Not including the silent auction, organizer Stacey Walsh predicted the total had increased to more than $10,000.
The money will help families afford summer camp activities for their autistic children. There are 30 open slots.
One of the reasons for the large turnout was the decision to send home flyers with students from every local elementary and middle school.
"The whole point was to reach out to the community and get the word out," Walsh said.
The walk attracted several people from beyond Hernando County. Barbara Blum, of Tampa and Lena Kontos, of St. Petersburg, learned about the event through a friend, Janis Woodruff.
The three of them sat in the shade toward the end of the event and reflected on the day. They mentioned how crowded the track had been earlier that morning.
"It all went very, very well," said Woodruff, who is Bolin's best friend. "She was very nervous about it and she relied on other members of the H.A.P.P.E.N. group. It was a really good turnout and there has been a lot of support from the community."
Bolin said the track was so packed with walkers, it was impossible to weave through the crowd in the beginning.
"They were packed like sardines," she said.
More than 200 T-shirts were made in preparation for the walk. They were sold out within the first 20 minutes.
"Next year, we'll definitely double our shirt total," Walsh said.

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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