Lynwood – Hosler Middle School students walked, jogged and ran to support their local community during the school’s second annual Autism Walk, raising $2,000 for the Autism Speaks organization.

The My Buddy Club, which consists of seventh-graders in special education, reached out to their peers, teachers and parents to help raise funds for autism awareness – tripling the amount raised during last year’s walk.

“It feels good to be in this club and give back to people who need our help,” said Hosler seventh-grader Jose Garcia, who was recognized for completing the most laps.

Autism Speaks is a national advocacy organization that sponsors autism research, promotes awareness and outreach activities to meet the needs of individuals with autism and their families.

The event, hosted on April 25, included Hosler student-run clubs selling snacks and drinks to participants as well as awarding goodie bags to those who donated more than $30. Goodie bags featured an autism awareness T-shirt, string-backpack, temporary tattoos and stickers.

“My Buddy Club members worked incredibly hard to pull off this successful event, and we are extremely proud of how much we were able to raise,” said Brenda Miramontes, Hosler seventh-grade special day class teacher and Autism Walk coordinator. “We cannot wait to do it all over again next year.”

Participants who walked the most laps and raised the most funds earned a $25 gift card to the Cheesecake Factory Hosler eighth-grade English teacher Alfred Pompey was recognized for completing the most laps, while instructional assistant Amanda Diaz and seventh-grader Angelo Estrella won prizes for raising the most money. Team Deadpool, consisting of eighth-graders Jessica Colato, Evelyn Gonzalez, Mirozlava Gonzalez, Brie Lepe and Josephine Martinez, raised the most funds as a group and won a pizza party sponsored by the My Buddy Club.

“We are so proud of Hosler’s My Buddy Club students for dedicating their time and resources to give back to others in an engaging way,” Lynwood Unified Board President Alfonso Morales said. “Thank you to the staff, students and parents who made this possible and for their enthusiasm to make positive changes to the world around them.”

My Buddy Club was formed to create a safe and welcoming space at school where students can participate in meaningful volunteer activities, while also recognizing and appreciating those with different abilities.

“Lynwood Unified is committed to providing inclusive activities for all of our students that promote community outreach and support,” LUSD Superintendent Gudiel R. Crosthwaite said. “Thank you to the Lynwood community and to Hosler staff and students for coming together and spreading awareness on an important cause.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

051718_LUSD_AUTISMWALK1: Hosler Middle School eighth-grade Team Deadpool raised the most funds as a group during a school competition that generated $2,000 for the Autism Speaks organization.

051718_LUSD_AUTISMWALK2: Coordinators of Hosler’s My Buddy Club, which consists of seventh-graders in special education, leap for joy during the second annual Autism Walk which raised $2,000 for the Autism Speaks organization.