By Rosalinda Larkin, Founder:

“ASDC’s 3rd Annual Autism Awareness Walks was a huge success, thanks to all of you! Thank you for making ASDC Autism Awareness Walks a memorable experience. I was overwhelmed by the massive support from the community, vendors, donors, government officials, and all of you.
To our Mayor Mitch Roth for celebrating with us, leading the walks, and proclamation message to ASDC- Autism Support and Disabilities Center, thank you so much.

Thank you to our County Council Chair, Ms. Heather Kimball, Sue Lee Loy, and Jennifer Kagiwada for opening the walks and celebrating with us.

To our Mayor’s Executive Assistant, Mr. Timothy Hansen, for celebrating with us and continuing to support the ASDC mission.

To Lieutenant William Derr and Julia Althoff for our collaboration project, Thank you for working with ASDC- Autism Support and Disabilities Center.

To Pastor Howard Nash for the opening prayer.

To the President of NAMI, Mrs. Kathy Hammes, and Brooke

To Mr. Mar Ortaleza, Director Abled Hawaii Artist, for emceeing the events and partnering with ASDC. I am genuinely grateful for everything that you have done for ASDC. Thank you for being a part of this journey with me.

To Mr. Ian Kow for taking responsibility for communicating with our community vendors and handling photography.

To our Zumba instructors Tanya and Cheryl mahalo.

To my braddah Sammy Sampaga and his team for helping set up tables and chairs, loading things from my house to the civic, and helping clean out, you are my Ohana.

To Ms. Jo Ann Nishimoto and the new Director for Special Olympics Cheryl for bringing our Special Olympics team and participating in the walks- Mahalo.

To my Violin teacher, Mrs. Cathy Young, and Orchid Isle Orchestra for a beautiful performance to all the performers.

To Disability Rights for providing ASDC ASL interpreters.

To Dr. Susan Shirachi, Director of the University of Hawaii, for your generosity and for providing us with Volunteers.

Thank you Momi Kawai for Volunteering your precious time to ASDC. You are amazing sister and we love you!

To our 25 community vendors and professional providers for celebrating with ASDC.Thank you so much!

It’s so hard to find people who put their whole heart into this mission, into everything they do- you, my ASDC Ohana, the participants, community partners, sponsors, donors, and volunteers made this event possible. Congratulations to All of us for the fantastic work and TEAM EFFORTS!

What a blessed way to celebrate and promote Autism Advocacy and raise awareness for Equality and Equal Rights for all the citizens with disabilities on the Big Island.

Our generous donors, HPM, KTA Food Baskets, Mr. Dennis Onishi, Takunaga Store, Aiona Car Sales, and those who donated money. Thank you so much for supporting the Autism Support and Disabilities Center.

Lastly, Thank you to all the participants, my ASDC Board of Directors, Advisory Boards, Committees, and Ambassadors for your support, hard work, and contributions to making these events a fun celebration.

I thank God for a successful celebration, beautiful weather, and the community’s massive support.”