Ouachita student group to host Autism Awareness Walk on April 13
April 03, 2019
- Ashly StracenerOne of Ouachita Baptist University’s student organizations, Chi Mu women’s social
club, will host its first Autism Awareness Walk on Saturday, April 13, from 10 a.m.
to 1 p.m. at the Arkadelphia High School football stadium in honor of Autism Awareness
Month. The walk will raise money for the Arkansas Autism Foundation.
Devon Carlson and Terri Roberts, representatives from the Arkansas Awareness Foundation,
will be guest speakers to teach participants more about autism and how to love and
accept those with autism.
Participants may sign up as individuals or as a team of five. A ticket purchase includes
admittance to the walk, a lunch of hot dogs, water, chips and cookies and the opportunity
to hear from guest speakers. A ticket purchase can also include a shirt commemorating
the event for a few dollars more.
Bethany Crawley, a sophomore music education major from Jonesboro, Ark., and current
philanthropy chair for Chi Mu, is largely responsible for coordinating the details
of the walk.
“I’m going into the education field, so I will encounter autistic children, and I
have in working with kids at camp and the trampoline park that I work at,” Crawley
said. “It’s such a big deal that needs to be addressed. Yeah, these kids are different,
but they still deserve love and to be loved on. It’s not something that needs to be
fixed, but it’s something that needs to be accepted.
“The money that we’ll raise is going to support the Arkansas Autism Foundation, and
they do things that give autistic children opportunities to be involved, socialize
and feel loved,” Crawley continued. “It’s so much bigger than Chi Mu and Ouachita.
We’d love to see the broader Ouachita and Arkadelphia communities join us and get
involved in this cause.”
“Many people are touched by autism spectrum disorders (ASD) regularly but do not know
how to positively engage in such encounters,” said Adam Wheat, guest experience coordinator
for Ouachita and Chi Mu staff sponsor. “Organizations like the Arkansas Autism Foundation
and events like these provide spaces to educate and encourage. So your presence expresses
your willingness to learn and your support for those who may feel alone in their journey.
“Those with ASD see the world differently and can broaden our own perspectives if
we give them the chance,” Wheat added. “Walking may not seem like much, but it’s a
step into the conversation, which is the beginning of all important change.”
Tickets are available for purchase online and on the Women of Chi Mu Facebook page. Tickets also may be purchase by reaching out to any Chi Mu member. For a team of
five, the cost is $75 or $100 to include shirts. For individual participants, the
cost is $20 or $25 to include a shirt. For those who are unable to attend the event
but would like to contribute to the cause, shirts are available for purchase for $25
and donations also are accepted.
For more information about the Autism Awareness Walk, contact Bethany Crawley at 870-919-8065
or cra64637@obu.edu.
By Ashly Stracener // Ouachita's Chi Mu women’s social club will host an Autism Awareness
Walk on Saturday, April 13, at the Arkadelphia High School football stadium to raise
money for the Arkansas Autism Foundation. Download full size image.
April 3, 2019
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