COPE to hold free Autism Fun Day event April 26

This April, COPE (Community Outreach People Empowerment) acknowledges emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting both autistic individuals and all children and promoting a safe and understanding environment for everyone.

COPE is committed to being involved by learning more about autism and the experiences of autistic individuals. It is their goal to promote autism awareness and acceptance. Autism offers a chance to glimpse an awe-filled vision of the world that might otherwise pass many by. “If we can't learn the way we teach, we teach the way they learn.” The demands and challenges of raising a child with autism can be overwhelming.

The Autism Fun Day event on Saturday, April 26 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Edwards Center, 1427 Fly St., Gonzales, will kick off with a welcome keynote by Mayor Steve Sucher in support of autism awareness.

The event will feature creative activities such bounce houses, petting zoo, Lego building, rock painting, Play-Doh creations, jewelry beading, a Come & Plant It station, games and much more! There will be dance performances on stage by Come and Take it Dance with mini-dance lessons in between performances.

The Farmers Daughter (Sara Tenberg) will provide resources at the event to include food and snack education, alternative snack options/no dye options/texture & sensory options for parents of kids on the spectrum. 

There will be three different opportunities to register to win packages which include: Family Fun Night, Dance It, Sing It, Play It and The Perfect Outdoor Picnic. Come on by to support and maybe you'll be the lucky winner of a 55-inch smart TV, a karaoke machine, or a family splash pad inflatable Pool and more!

Your help is needed to make this event a success! By attending, sharing the event with your friends and family, you can help create a more inclusive and understanding community for individuals with autism and their families.  

COPE believes that everyone can make a difference in the lives of individuals on the autism spectrum. Your presence and support will help raise awareness and create positive change.

The event is sponsored by COPE (Community Outreach People Empowerment), powered by CHCSCT.

Supporting sponsors include:

• Edwards Association

• Gonzales Healthcare Systems

• Boy Scouts of America

• DSHS

• 5 Mile Farm

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

• Rotary Club of Gonzales

• Eric & Heather Dement

• JL Gray Construction

• Come and Take It Dance

• Bluebonnet Trails Community Services

• Cathy & Roy Crawley 

• Norma's House

• Lynn Theater 

• Domino's Pizza

• WildSpirit Ranch — Mara Saldivar

• Kella Mae Marshall

• B and B Big Bounce — Barry Everett

• Farmhouse Provisions 

• Gonzales High School Jr. ROTC

• Sandra Michna

• Sharon Hastings-Broom

• Edward's Furniture

• Priscilla Estrada

• Steele Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Gonzales.