The Autism Outreach Team at the Hormel Historic Home is busy preparing for the seventh annual Stepping Out for Autism Walk.

The event will be from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, April 22 and will raise  awareness and funding to support youth on the autism spectrum in our area. Participants are invited to channel their favorite superhero and come dressed as such for a walk around Mill Pond followed by a celebration event at the HHH. The walk will start and finish in the Peace Garden and will feature music, photo booth, pizza, and fun activities for all to enjoy. The event will take place rain, snow or shine!

Our programming, in its ninth year, serves youth in kindergarten through 12th grades and includes three camps and monthly respite programs. So get your cape, don your mask, and join us for this exciting fundraising activity. Registration information is below.

Historically speaking, in June of 1928, a young woman was on a walk of her own. Having started out from Grand Rapids, Michigan, the woman was heading back to the west coast after finding few opportunities in Michigan. Her only means to get there was by foot. While walking on Highway 16 near Grand Meadow, a man picked her up and offered her a ride to the YWCA in Austin.

The Y offered her supper and a place to stay. In conversation with Mrs. Buell, the director of the Y, the woman said that she had met so many pleasant people during her journey. She said she never asked for rides, but people were generous in offering and she had been able to travel about 150 miles per day via foot or as a passenger.

The Austin Daily Herald dated June 22, 1928, reported on the woman’s stay.

“After a friendly visit, a night’s lodging with meals, the next morning found the young woman refreshed and ready to start. Then after a word of thanks and a hearty handshake, she went on her way, but paused several times to look back upon the beautiful grounds and the stately home that had taken her in.”

The woman left a note of thanks which read, “Austin has an institution of which to be proud-its YWCA. A lovely mansion, a kindly Christian matron, a real home, and a helping hand. To the stranger within your gates to receive a welcome; to the person bereft of kin to have a home; and to one out of work a helping hand; how much it means-and Austin’s YWCA truly gives all of these.”

Join us for a walk that serves others and continues the tradition of the YWCA as we serve those in need.

Hearth & Home Series: History of Austin High School, Pt. 2

Tuesday, April 17

Presented by Wendy Larson, Retired school district employee. Based on positive feedback from her earlier presentation, Wendy will share more stories and details about student life from 1915 to 1935.

Stepping Out for Autism Walk

1-3:30 p.m., Sunday, April 22

at the HHH Peace Garden

Walk—Donate—Sponsor—Support. Register at www.hormelhistorichome.org/autism-programming.html or at the Hormel Historic Home office. Enjoy music, photo booth, Lego hunt, raffle drawings, and pizza.