Third annual Washington Walk for Autism to be held April 13

Kayley Clark and Cole Davies are lifelong friends with a passion for helping people. On Saturday, April 13, the pair will host the third annual Washington Walk for Autism at the Kewash Trail beginning at the rocket slide at 1 p.m.

Both Davies and Clark have worked at REM Iowa, an organization that provides services to adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and found their passion for helping people that way. Clark said the desire she felt to help people was something ingrained in her from birth.

'I think for me, it's just kind of in my blood,” she said. 'Growing up, my mom had worked at REM and that has just been a strong passion for me always.”

In 2017, the pair decided to hold the annual Washington Walk for Autism and have since continued the tradition. This year, all proceeds will benefit WCDC in Washington.

Their goal is to raise $1,000 to purchase communication devices, like tablets, and other sensory items. They said supporting the special-needs community is important because though their experiences with working directly with them, they say they often feel left out.

'We take pride that we are their voice and we are advocating for them,” Davies said.

'Much like other communities in the community (of Washington), they all celebrate their differences,” Clark agreed. 'We love that they're different and we want them to love that they're different.”

The third annual Washington Walk for Autism will take place Saturday, April 13, at 1 p.m. on the Kewash Trail. There is no registration required but there is a fee associated for those 10 and over. Any questions can be directed to Clark or Davies by calling the WCDC office at 319-653-7248 or by email at wash.autism.walk@gmail.com.