Same charity, different year. Fingers crossed that we will be able to gather as a team and celebrate 26.2 miles through the city of Chicago. 2021 will (hopefully) be my 3rd Chicago Marathon, my 4th marathon as an OAR runner, and my 11th marathon over all.

OAR is an incredible organization that provides so much to help individuals on the spectrum—from training resources to scholarships (collegiate and trade school) to research grants. When choosing to run for a charity, it was a no brainer.

Why OAR? Simple: to give back and help provide better resources and opportunities for the kids I work with on a daily basis. I love that OAR is a small organization and the money goes directly to where it is most needed and will benefit individuals with autism.


WHY RUN FOR AUTISM?
1 in 54 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism. By joining the RUN FOR AUTISM team, you’re supporting OAR’s mission to fund research and resources that help people with autism and their families today.


Here are some of the ways that OAR uses the funds raised by the RUN FOR AUTISM team:

$10 provides a Curriculum in a Box professional development set to general education teachers.
$25 provides 15 copies of A Guide to Safety to families and first responders.
$100 provides the Kit for Kids peer education resource to an entire elementary or middle school.
$150 provides 100 copies of a Life Journey through Autism guidebook sent to a community support group or military installation.
$1,000 provides a research grant for a graduate student studying autism.
$3,000 provides a scholarship for a student with autism to attend college.
$40,000 fully underwrites an applied research pilot study.