Benhaven Walk for Autism Returns September 26th

NORTH HAVEN, CT: The Benhaven Walk for Autism in Memory of Elaine & Joseph Dworkin returns to North Haven High School, Sunday, September 26! The event features the annual 2 Mile Walk and a celebration offering live music, food, a raffle, refreshments and more! Organizers expect nearly 300 walkers to raise over $50,000 for Benhaven! All pre-registered entrants receive a commemorative t-shirt with this year’s custom logo. The event also offers a Virtual Walk Option for those who are unable to attend the event. Virtual walkers receive a bib and t-shirt in the mail and log their walk on their own. To learn more about the walk, please visit www.jbsports.com.

As always safety of event participants and spectators is extremely important. All walkers and spectators will be encouraged to wear a mask when they are not walking, eating or drinking. The event will have numerous safety protocols in place that will meet or exceed all State and local guidelines.

Proceeds from the event benefit Benhaven, a local non-profit that serves individuals with autism, intellectual disabilities, and related disabilities. Benhaven’s mission is to enable those with autism and pervasive developmental disorders to participate in community life, exercise productive control over their own lives, have meaningful relationships and associations, be gainfully employed, and experience happiness and personal satisfaction.

With the uncertainty of state funding, Kathryn du Pree, Executive Director of Benhaven, stresses the importance of donations to aid families in need. du Pree states, “As state resources become even more stretched to meet the growing demand, we are seeking contributions to fulfill our mission of assisting families with both immediate and long-term need that cannot be fully met with public funding. After the tough decision to cancel last year’s walk due to COVID concerns, we are excited to be back this year with a live event! We are glad to have our staff, Board members and sponsors on board; they are a large part of our success!”

Walkers are encouraged to fundraise for Benhaven. Those who raise $200 or more receive complimentary walk entry. To learn more about donating or fundraising, email jody@jbsports.com or call (203) 481-5933. During the event, a raffle and silent auction will be held.

The 2021 event is held in memory of Elaine & Joseph Dworkin. Other sponsors include Rose & Kiernan, Mutual of America, W. Daniel Rosenberg Family, Executive Honda, Marino, Zabel & Schellenberg, PLLC., Connex Credit Union, All Waste, Inc., Checkwriters, Webster Bank, Town Fair Tire, Precision Glass & Mirror, Hancock Pharmacy, Petro Home Services, Raymond James of Glastonbury & West Hartford, Beacon Communities, Precision Auto, Inc., REMAX Alliance, TBNG Consulting, Yale Child Study Center, ENCON Heating & AC, Odonata Seaglass Gifts, Dunkin, and The Geenty Group, Realtors.