Step Into Autism - Stark

Step Into Autism Walk and Resource Fair

This event, now in its 5th year,  brings professionals, educators, families, and the community together. When we walk together, we support each other and connect with the experience of living with Autism. 

 

Plan to attend this annual event, which brings families, friends, teachers, therapists, community members, and others together to walk to raise understanding and acceptance of Autism. Participants are connected to valuable resources and information right here in our community.

 

We do ask all participants to register prior to the event. This helps us in our planning and ensures we can provide the best possible experience for you.

 

Step Into Autism is ASGA’s signature fundraiser to support our mission. ASGA is the premier resource for adapted community events, advocacy, education, information and referral, and support that improve the lives of everyone in our local Autism community. 

 

How can you help? 

• Make a donation when you register to participate. All donations, no matter the amount will mean more connections

• Form a team, recruit members of your family and network, and raise funds collectively. 

• Join an established team and ask your friends to donate to your fundraiser. 

 

Don’t know where to start? Check our Fundraising Toolkit.

 

Funds raised through sponsorships, donations, and team fundraising stay in our community to provide the connections and resources that empower everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully. 

 

What you can Expect: 

• Walk at your own pace and ability. 

• Make new friends and connections. 

• Visit the Resource Fair and learn what local resources and services are available. 

• Visit with our various live, interactive characters. 

• Dance to the music like no one is watching.

• Have fun! 

Our 2025 Annual Report highlights a year of connection, inclusion, and community impact. Together, we welcomed 7,719 program participants, created more than 25,000 real-life connections, and hosted 14 adaptive events designed to foster belonging and safe spaces for all. Inside, you’ll see the stories, milestones, and moments that made this year so meaningful for the families and individuals we serve.

 

How to create a Facebook Fundraiser and link to your Walk Fundraiser

You can raise more and reach your fundraising goal faster by creating a Facebook Fundraiser directly from your RunSignup Fundraising Page! Any money that is raised on Facebook will count towards your overall fundraising goal. Facebook’s powerful social network and ease of use make it easy for your fundraisers to ask their friends for donations.

For your Facebook Fundraiser to count towards your fundraising goal, you must follow the instructions to create your Facebook Fundraiser. Follow the instructions below to create your synced Facebook Fundraiser.

Sign In to RunSignup.
Go to your Profile.
Scroll down to your Fundraising section of your profile.
Click on your fundraiser name to go to your fundraising page.
On your Fundraiser page, click Create Your Fundraiser on Facebook!
If you are logged in to Facebook on your device, your fundraiser will automatically be created.   

If you are not logged in to Facebook, you will be prompted to log in. Once you are logged in, your fundraiser will automatically be created.

Start sharing your Facebook Fundraiser with your friends and family! Any money that you raise on Facebook will automatically count towards your overall fundraising goal. Your total amount raised will be synced between RunSignup and Facebook.  

Let’s Fundraise! 

Registration Details

Can I register more than one person under my account?
Yes! You can register as many people as you want under your account. Simply select the "Add Another Registrant" button during registration.
Please note:  Enter an email address for every team member so they will receive important event updates. (Does not apply to participants 18 and under).

Does everyone need to register to participate?
YES! We ask that everyone participating age 18 and over sign the online waiver. Please register all participants, regardless of age - This helps ASGA plan for the numbers at the event and share important information with you. Team captains can register more than one person at a time (see above).

Is there a registration deadline?

PLEASE REGISTER IN ADVANCE, PRIOR TO THE EVENT. This helps us to plan our event accordingly.

Registration will remain open until the day of the Walk.

Can I join a fundraising team without creating an individual fundraising page?
Of course! However, when you join a fundraising team, an individual fundraising page is created in your name, and it keeps track of the donations received for your team on your behalf. This will create a little competition between you and your teammates. Please be sure to donate to your own team to get it started. Every little bit helps and is appreciated. When donations are received, they will be entered into the system and assigned to your team. You will then receive an email confirmation.

T-shirt Info

The deadline to reserve your size for the Stark County Walk shirt is Sept 15. After the deadline, sizes and quantities will be limited. Stay-tuned for information about this year's t-shirt!

If you cannot attend the Walk, please schedule a time to pick up your shirt at the ASGA office in Akron with melanie@autismakron.org

Are animals / dogs allowed at the Step Into Autism Walks?
No. Only certified service dogs are allowed at the event. This is for the safety of the participants and the upkeep of the venue. Some participants may also be scared or allergic, so we ask everyone to please respect this rule.

DONATIONS:

What do I do with offline donations, such as cash and checks?
For donations taken offline, please turn your cash into a check and mail to our office. Checks are made payable to: 

Autism Society of Greater Akron
Step Into Autism
580 Grant Street 
Akron, OH 44311

Use this Donation Form to send to people who want to donate to your team but do not want to do it online.

Use this Donation Tracking Form to track your donations and confirm your thank you notes. 

 

 

Fundraising FAQs

 

How do I find the URL to my fundraising page?

To find your page URL, visit https://runsignup.com/stepintoautismstark and click the profile icon in the upper right corner.  Log in to your account, go to your profile, then scroll down until you see "Fundraising."  Right-click to copy your fundraising URL. Be sure to include this link in your outreach for donations!

How do I edit my page and goal?

To edit your page and goal, visit https://runsignup.com/stepintoautismstark and click the profile icon in the upper right corner.  Log in to your account, go to your profile, then scroll down until you see "Fundraising."  Click "Edit Fundraiser" to edit the content, goal, or fundraising URL. We encourage you to customize your page and share your story & inspiration for participating!

How do I send my fundraising page to friends and family?

When on your individual fundraising page, click "Links/Sharing" on the top toolbar. From here, you can copy your fundraising page's URL to share, or click any of the smaller social media and email icons under your team name for quick sharing. There is even an option to embed a donation widget on your own web page! An additional fundraising guide can be found here. 

Can I fundraise on Facebook?

You can create a Facebook fundraiser that connects to your Walk account. When logged into your account, visit your personal fundraising page, scroll down, and click the "Create Your Fundraiser on Facebook!" button. If you do not create a Facebook fundraiser through your personal fundraiser page, any incoming donations will not be assigned to you. A Facebook fundraiser page makes it quick and easy for friends and family to donate.  All donations made through the Facebook fundraiser will show up as part of your total. 

If you prefer not to connect your pages, you can share your participant link on Facebook and ask people to visit your Walk page to donate. 

Is there a fundraising minimum to participate?

While there is no minimum fundraising amount to participate, we hope you will consider asking your friends, family, and colleagues to contribute. Step Into Autism is an opportunity to raise Autism acceptance, community support and funds for the ASGA.

Can matching gifts be applied to my fundraising total?

Yes, we will apply matching gifts to your fundraising total as soon as we have the official paperwork, and it is approved by your company. Please let us know ahead of time that you have applied and when it is approved. 

Team Captain Fundraising Page Questions

 

How do I view my team’s fundraising page? 

• Sign in to your Run Signup account
• Click on your account photo in the upper right corner of the page
• On the drop-down menu, click "Profile"
• Scroll down to the fundraising section, where you will see your individual fundraising page AND your team fundraising page
• Click on your team fundraising page

How do I send my team fundraising page to invite friends and family to donate to my team’s fundraising efforts?

When on your team page, click "Links/Sharing" on the top toolbar. From here, you can copy your fundraising page's URL to share or click any of the smaller social media and email icons under your team name for quick sharing. There is even an option to embed a donation widget on your own web page!

How do I donate to the organization without selecting an individual fundraiser or a team?

CLICK HERE to donate directly to the general Step Into Autism fundraising!

If you have questions that are not addressed here, please email melanie@autismakron.org

  

2025 Photos can be found HERE.

 

2024 Photos can be found HERE.

 

2023 Photos can be found HERE.

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE

10:00 AM     EVENT OPENS

• Same day registration is available. Everyone must register online and agree to the waiver

• Go to the Tshirt table to your official Step into Autism commemorative shirt

                      WHAT TO EXPECT

• A peak inside the Canton police car 

• Photos with mascots

• FREE frozen treats at the Huntington Bank Treat Truck

• Get lots of information from 25+ exhibitors at the Resource Fair

                     

10:25 AM     WELCOME

• Sponsor and Team Recognition

10:45 AM     LINE UP

• Walkers begin to line up at the You Were Made Perfect Arch

11:00 AM     START Walk Begins!   

11:30 AM     FINISH

• Walkers return to Clubhouse

• Visit Resource Fair, Treat Truck, Police, Health/Safety Zone

12:00 PM     END - Thank You!            

 

SAFETY

Please help us keep the grounds of the Tam O'Shanter Park and our event safe. If you see or hear something concerning, please call 9-1-1 and notify staff at the ASGA table.

 

FIRST AID

A First-Aid kit will be available at the ASGA tent. If you have a medical need, please find a volunteer in a yellow vest or burgundy polo shirt.

If you have an emergency that requires EMS, please call 9-1-1. 

 

WEATHER AND HYDRATION

Be sure to stay hydrated. Please feel free to bring your own beverages and snacks. Please plan for any type of weather.  

QUESTIONS ON WALK DAY?

Look for our volunteers in yellow lanyards, staff in burgundy ASGA shirts or visit the ASGA tent.

 

WE CAN'T WAIT TO WALK WITH YOU!