Giant Steps & Seven Local Organizations To Raise Money & Awareness for People with Developmental Disabilities

Giant Steps is excited to announce that they will partner with seven other organizations for the 8^th Annual Walk Run ‘n Roll for People with Developmental Disabilities. These eight local non-profit organizations will join forces to raise money and awareness for people with developmental disabilities in St. Louis and St. Charles. Giant Steps is proud to team up with Community Living, Emmaus Homes, Life Skills, Pathways to Independence, Rainbow Village, St. Louis Arc and United Services. Together these eight organizations have nearly 400 combined years of experience and serve more than 6,900 people with developmental disabilities from infancy to advanced years. As a whole, these agencies employ more than 2,000 Missourians and inspire more than 4,000 people to volunteer every year.

The 8^th Annual Walk Run ‘n Roll will be held on Saturday, May 5^th from 9am to 1pm in Creve Coeur Park at the Tremayne Shelter.

“Giant Steps proudly joins together with families and caregivers from so many organizations to raise awareness in the community,” said Director Berry Berger. “Walk, Run ‘n Roll is an opportunity to demonstrate support for people of all ages and abilities and at the same time to have fun participating in a community event!”

Corporate teams, families and individuals are invited to walk, run or roll (i.e. wheelchairs, strollers, wagons and skates) for pledged donations. This year’s goal is to raise $217,000 to help people with developmental disabilities throughout the St. Louis and St. Charles communities.

The 8^th Annual Walk Run ‘n Roll will feature an array of family-friendly activities including live music, a doggie depot and face painting. Participants and supporters will also enjoy a Resource & Health Fair where they can learn about area businesses that offer services for people with developmental disabilities.

Visit WalkRunNRoll.org for more information and to register for the 8^th Annual Walk Run ‘n Roll.

Giant Steps of St. Louis is a day school and therapy center for children with autism spectrum disorders, ages 3–21. In addition to its individualized educational and therapeutic program, the agency also offers a specialized summer camp, pre-vocational and transitional services for young adults, classroom consultation, parent training and family support groups. The organization was established in 1994 by a group of parents who wanted St. Louis-area children to have access to the innovative approach to autism pioneered by Giant Steps of Montreal. Today, the St. Louis school is one of six independently operated Giant Steps programs worldwide. Giant Steps is located in a historic school building in Maplewood, MO. Students and campers come from more than 25 school districts throughout metropolitan St. Louis. For more information, visit giantsteps-stlouis.org.