This is our 4th year organizing the Osseo District Team for the Steps of Hope Walk.  Last year our team had 115 people walk to support Autism Awareness and to represent the Osseo District!  We are hoping for even more this year. Please feel free to join our team and walk with us on March 1^st

Our son, Ben, has Autism and he is our motivation for promoting Autism Awareness and helping children with Autism.  We call him the "Magic Man" because he is always happy and smiling which makes everyone around him feel good.  Ben continues to make amazing gains, which gives our family hope, and makes his future look brighter every day.

He works so hard to accomplish what many of us just learn naturally. It's not easy, but he approaches it with grace, tenacity and spirit. We learn so much from him, and hope with all our hearts that some day soon there will be a cure for Autism. 

Today, 1 in 150 individuals is diagnosed with Autism, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined! 

The Autism Society of Minnesota will use proceeds from the Steps of Hope to continue efforts in offering information and support through a variety of ways.  All the proceeds from the walk remain in Minnesota. Last year our family was fortunate enough to receive a Steps Of Hope Grant for the purchase of specialized exercise equipment that Ben is able to utilize outdoors with our family. 

By supporting the Autism Society of MN and making a donation to the Steps Of Hope Walk on 3/1/2009, you can help families like ours receive much needed support. A huge thank you goes out to every one of you who visits our page, who donated money to our team, who supports our children, who loves someone in this photo. YOU can make a difference for thousands of children!

Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate also!

Thank You,

Denise, Phil, Ashley, Ben and Callie Blanchard