Thank you to TANYA & BRIAN for coming out and joining us for the walk. It was a very cool, ok cold morning in the Berkshire hills, but once the walkers came to the mid-walk point, it warmed up quickly.

What a lovely group of people. They cheered for the PHC twice today for our efforts in helping them with their walk.  We felt so very appreciated, it was wonderful.

For those of you who were at the John & Jim show and met Raun Kaufman – well today we met "Bears", his father, Barry Kaufman, author of Son-Rise and 11 other books. Mrs. Kaufman was also there and they both came up and hugged and thanked us over and over again. It was an amazing group of people and a great energy in the room.

Thank you to all who contributed at the John & Jim show & to Mike & Joanne for your CD purchase & donation too.

It was well worth it. We will be back again next year, even it is not voted on to be a club event, Keith & I will be there. About 50-60 walkers, raised approximately $24,000. This was 1 of 50 Autism walks taking place around the World today.

Thank you to all who contributed.

Thanks again,
Maryann

Brian and I were talking on the way home and we both had the general consensus that yesterday was the most rewarding event that we've done in a long time. I couldn't believe how appreciative the whole group was. Granted it was a small group, but I had walkers come up and thank me for all that we had done.

For me after reading Barry's book I was so excited to see him in the crowd...and whenever he came up to me and told me that he was so touched by the donation of our time and effort I was blown away. I mean I've had people thank me before...but this was genuine and heartfelt. When he introduced himself to me I told him I knew who he was because I had read the book and that the book was so captivating that I read 90% of it in one sitting...I can't even remember the exact words he used because he hugged me while saying how much that meant to him and that one more person being aware of autism was more than he could have asked for. It is just a really nice bunch of people. And even though it was an hour and a half ride one way...Brian and I would totally do it again without giving it a second thought.

The other thing I'd mention was the pizza party afterwards. They had pizza, raw veggies, cake all the while giving out raffle prizes. And what was wonderful about that is that they'd call out the name of the winner and EVERYONE in the room would cheer, clap, hoot & holler like they themselves had won. It was a great experience all around.

And yes I think my toes are still defrosting!!

Tanya