2010 First Step Walk for Children

First Step’s Walk for Children will benefit the Ann and Nick Tillman Project for children with sensory needs. First Step will implement this exciting new program for our early childhood population in January 2010 at our campus in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Implementation of the project will begin soon in our other centers. The children served will be those with autism, sensory disorders, behavior, communication and social issues.

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This unique and cutting-edge project was named for Nick and Ann Tillman whose daughter received services at First Step and for years lent their support to the organization. Ann Tillman chaired the 2008 Designers Vision House, the first fundraising event of the First Step Foundation. Nick and Ann lost their lives in a plane crash just days after the closing of the Designers Vision House event. Children with autism and the First Step organization were dear to their hearts. We can think of no better way to honor their memory.

Because children with autism and sensory, behavioral, and communication needs are each unique, the Ann and Nick Tillman Project will strive to find the right approach for treating each individual. Teachers, therapists and other workers will be trained in numerous techniques to meet the individual needs of participants. The ratio of staff to children will be 1:4 as opposed to the required 1:7 in other preschool programs.

First Step’s Walk for Children, premiering in 2010, will become an annual event to benefit the Ann and Nick Tillman Project and the First Step Foundation. We do not have to sit idly by while each year more and more children are diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum disorder or other sensory related disorders. This walk will be a means by which parents and others concerned about the welfare of children may be empowered. We can make our voices heard and raise funds to provide cutting edge treatment in our local community.

First Step’s Walk for Children will involve the entire community but concentrates on the business organizations located within the community. The event is chaired by ARVEST Bank President Don Gooch who will recruit 10 Industry Leaders who each recruit five Team Captains. The Captains each recruit a team of 5-12 members. The event is held over a four month period during which participants strive to walk 100 miles each. Pledges/Donations are taken for miles walked. The goal for each team is to raise $1,000. Individual walkers or community teams may participate. Those not associated with an industry team will pay a registration fee of $10. Goals for individual walkers not associated with an industry team will be $100 each. All registered participants will receive an official First Step’s Walk for Children t-shirt. Registered participants will be invited to the Kick-Off and Wrap-Up parties.

First Step was established in 1958 to serve special needs children in the Hot Springs area. Today our seven different facilities, located throughout the southern part of our state, serve approximately 1600 consumers from 27 Arkansas counties. First Step is considered a leader in the field of service to individuals with developmental disabilities. The Ann and Nick Tillman Project and First Step’s Walk for Children are the latest in our attempts to promote integration and independence of all people with disabilities.

Support the 2010 First Step Walk for Children
find out more >>
donate securely online >>
support your favorite Walker >>

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 and is filed under Ann and Nick Tillman Project. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.