Hello: I'm Will, and I'm running this year's MCM in support of the Virginia-based nonprofit, Organization for Autism Research. As an elementary music teacher, I regularly come into contact with young students with autism. These neurodiverse thinkers often stand out, but sometimes they stand out in a way that may be confusing, unusual, awkward. Although they may reach some milestones in their growth and development far ahead of their peers, they may lag behind in others. This can lead to problems like social isolation, even bullying, and each child with autism responds to these challenges differently. They don't need bystanders--people who will simply stand by on the sideline and say, "Well, there will always be those kinds of people in the world to push Johnny's buttons, and little Johnny simply needs to learn how to deal with them." They need UPSTANDERS--people who will make the harder and braver choice to stand UP and advocate for them and their needs, people who will speak out not just for justice, but for kindness and compassion.
That is why I'm running for OAR. I hope you will support me and my efforts.
| Supporters | |||
| Name | Date | Amount | Comments |
| Andrew Flatt | 10/26/2019 | $25.00 | Julia Ahumada | 10/24/2019 | $25.00 | Come visit us at our new place! | Christina Nehrling | 10/23/2019 | $20.00 | Best Wishes | Maggie Colston | 10/23/2019 | $25.00 | We support you and Matthew! Do your best at the marathon--just watch out for drinks disguised as water ;-) | Eric Green | 10/23/2019 | $25.00 | Love y’all! -Eric | Steven Heilig | 10/22/2019 | $50.00 | Jan Richardson | 10/22/2019 | $25.00 | Thank you for sharing your family's story, Will. I am only too happy to be supportive. | PK Waddle | 10/22/2019 | $11.00 | Theresa Severin | 10/22/2019 | $50.00 | Run, Will! Run! | Barbara Martinez | 10/22/2019 | $20.00 | Connie and Jim Bailey | 10/22/2019 | $25.00 | Go Will!!! I will wear Orange tomorrow to also support Anti-Bullying day!!! Hugs to you and the family!! | Elizabeth Cavey | 09/21/2019 | $100.00 | Brooke Clark Gibson | 09/05/2019 | $50.00 | Way to go! My donation is in honor of your excellence and for all the amazing autistic individuals I am honored to musically work with each day. Every blessing to you for the marathon! | Catherine Cheng | 09/02/2019 | $100.00 | Run strong and have fun, Will! Hugs and love to your awesome family, and hope we can meet again soon! | Alice Hixson | 09/02/2019 | $20.00 | For all our students past & future. Run, Will, run. | Anonymous Friend | 09/01/2019 | $20.00 | Richard Heim | 08/01/2019 | $30.00 | Go Will!!! | Laura Porter | 07/30/2019 | $50.00 | Scott Soehrmann | 07/26/2019 | $100.00 | You go bro! You’re doing the hard part. T and I are happy to help you meet your fundraising goal. DONKEY KONG!!! | Robin Heim | 07/23/2019 | $100.00 | Yea, Will!! | Michael Bloom | 07/22/2019 | $54.00 | Best of wishes in your Run for this worthy cause! | Amy Yenyo | 07/22/2019 | $50.00 | Good luck Will! Thanks for supporting kids with autism! | Melissa Coombs | 07/22/2019 | $50.00 | Anonymous Friend | 07/04/2019 | $30.00 | PK Waddle | 07/04/2019 | $5.00 |
| Total | $1,060.00 | ||