Local organizations hosts Walk 4 Autism 2026

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - The Strong Beginnings Project and Strong Beginnings, LLC have teamed up to host Walk 4 Autism 2026 Saturday morning.

The event took place at Gateway Park at 9 a.m., with check-in starting at 8 a.m., and was to raise awareness and support for autism as April is Autism Acceptance Month.

Yuma City Councilmember Carol Smith and Yuma Police Department (YPD) Chief Thomas Garrity also participated in the walk.

Mandie Gilmor, Operations and Communication Manager for the Strong Beginnings Project, shared how the event benefits Yuma County.

"It helps to promote awareness of autism in the community and it helps for the families of children with autism to feel supported, seen, and to have a place to connect and come together with the community...and so it just really helps with that engagement and to feel support and to have a community that comes together," Gilmor explained.

During the event, YPD was handing out Autism Awareness Month patches and stickers, as well as attendees participating in a variety of activities and raffles.

Onvida Health and Rural Metro also served as community partners and sponsors for the event.

According to the Strong Beginnings Project, the expected attendance for those participating in the walk was over 1,400.