Caring Families Lace Up to Help Children and Adults with Autism

Being the mother of a child with autism is often both a great joy and a tremendous challenge. Just ask Linda Kuepper and Jacqui Makowski, the loving mothers of sons with autism, who know how vital the right support can be in their lives.

These moms, along with their friends, neighbors, and extended families, are getting ready to lace up their sneakers for the Autism Cares Foundation’s Race for Resources, and they do so as proud and caring mothers.

These formidable women are each deeply touched by the love and endless support that Autism Cares Foundation Co-Founder Linda Kuepper and Managing Director Jacqui Makowski have received from other parents, as well as the community in the Tri-State area.

The Race for Resources means the world to them, as they step up once again to raise awareness and broaden support for families with children and adults with autism, and other special needs.

On Saturday, Nov. 3, they will gather with friends, neighbors and a broad cross-section of the community at Bucks County Community College, 275 Swamp Road, in Newtown, Bucks County, on a crisp autumn day, for the 9th Annual Race for Resources. The Autism Expo opens at 7:30 a.m. Race kickoff is at 9 a.m.

“My family has participated in the Race for Resources for several years,” says Makowski, “and as a mom, I have always been struck by the genuine warmth, sense of kindness, acceptance, and a special energy that fills the air.”

Several years ago, Makowski and her husband, Tom, started bringing their son, Ryan, now 16, to Autism Cares Foundation events, including sensory-friendly movies and holiday parties.

Now as the Managing Director of the Autism Cares Foundation, she sees first-hand the major impact being made to benefit children, adults, parents, their extended families, and the community.

“We race so that our loved ones with autism and other special needs,” she said, “can enjoy the same opportunities and acceptance as their peers.”

These programs and activities include sensory-friendly movies, bounce and trampoline parties, teen prom and other dances, holiday-themed parties, weekly fitness classes, Glee Club, and much, much more.

As in previous years, at the Race for Resources, there will be beaming parents, and their extended families, clad in a sea of brightly-colored T-shirts with the names of their more than 50 fundraising teams that come out to support the Autism Cares Foundation.

The Race for Resources, one of the non-profit group’s major fundraising events, includes a 5K, 10K, Family Walk and Expo of local service providers, as well as numerous family-friendly activities, including: face painting, a video game bus, an obstacle course, and a gourmet lunch provided by Bloomin Brands (Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill and Bonefish Grill).

The Autism Cares Foundation’s Glee Club, made up of teens and adults with autism, will again be front and center to give an uplifting and memorable performance of the National Anthem.

This inspiring event is the perfect time for families, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and the extended community to walk, run, connect, learn, and spread the message of love, acceptance, and inclusion for all of us, especially for children, teens, and adults with autism, and other special needs.

Dozens of dedicated volunteers from colleges, high schools, and the community will be on site to make sure that everything operates smoothly.

To date, the Autism Cares Foundation has held more than 1,000 events, social programs, and life enrichment opportunities, which have benefited more than 900 local families. In 2017, the Autism Cares Foundation hosted more than 200 events social programs, and life enrichment opportunities, which have benefited more than 4500 people.

The non-profit Autism Cares Foundation, located in Southampton, PA., was started by loving mom Linda Kuepper and her husband Frank, after their younger son, Michael, now 20, was diagnosed with autism before his third birthday.

Instead of helplessly standing by and watching their son be left out of birthday parties and other social events, they decided to establish a non-profit that provides a warm, safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment where Michael and other children, teens, and adults with special needs are able to socialize, learn, grow, and thrive together.

When the Kueppers’ started the Autism Cares Foundation they had big dreams, but never could they have imagined the impact this caring group would have had some 10 years later. “We are thrilled that we have become a major presence in our community,” Linda Kuepper said, “and we look forward to doing so much more.”

As in past years, the Kuepper family’s team, Special K, will be raring to go, and Michael will enjoy the high-energy and enthusiasm of the crowd. “The Race for Resources is so important to our family because we run in honor of our loving son, Michael,” explained Linda Kuepper.

“As parents, each of us wants the best for our sons and daughters, which means a happy and fulfilling life,” she said. “It brings us so much joy to be able to provide this each and every day, for our son, his friends, and their families.”

For further information about the Autism Cares Foundation’s Race for Resources, please go to: http://raceforresources.org/ or https://autismcaresfoundation....