Waterloo Wiener/Kraut walk and run is Sept. 13

Tuesday, August 26, 2008 12:57 PM CDT

WATERLOO - Sponsored by the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, the 28th Annual Wiener and Kraut Day Walk/Run will be held to benefit children with autism on Saturday, Sept. 13, at St. John's Lutheran School parking lot in Waterloo.

With the theme, "Walk Now For Autism," registration will be held from 8 until 9 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran School parking lot and will include a T-shirt, free wiener and kraut ticket, a goody bag and one entry in a drawing for a Trek bicycle. Water will be available throughout the walk/run. Walk/run events include a one mile family walk, three mile walk and a five mile run. Registration costs are $20 for individuals, $50 for a family of four and $10 for each additional family member.

Registration forms can be found at www.friendsof-autism.org and checks can be made payable to the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce. Registration forms and checks can be mailed to Sherry Rehm, 412 Minnetonka Way, Waterloo, Wis. 53594. Please contact Kelly Sullivan at (920) 478-9549 or by e-mail at sullivanx4@yahoo.com with any questions or for additional information.

Participants who have taken part in previous Wiener and Kraut Day walks/runs are reminded that this year's event will begin at the St.. John's Lutheran School parking lot and not the high school parking as in years past.

Frequently referred to as a "spectrum disorder," autism can range from mild to severe or any degree in between. Children with autism often do not understand gestures or facial expressions and have difficulties engaging in social activities. Direct eye contact is often absent and repetitive and ritualistic behaviors such as spinning, rocking, hand flapping and the lining up of objects are expressed. A series of abnormalities and delays are often seen in children with autism including communication and cognitive delays. Autism is a lifelong condition that can be helped through early intensive therapy intervention.

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According to statistics and information provided by the Friends of Autism, autism is now considered the most prevalent developmental disability in the United States affecting more children than Down syndrome, hearing loss, vision impairment and cerebral palsy.

In Wisconsin, at least one child is diagnosed with autism daily and every 16 minutes a child in the United States will receive a diagnosis of autism. More children have been diagnosed with autism than with diabetes, cancer and childhood leukemia combined. Autism currently affects approximately one in every 150 births.

All proceeds from the walk/run will be donated to Friends of Autism, which was established in 2000 as the only autism charity in Wisconsin that is dedicated to raising money to fund autism awareness, education and research. The walk will be led by children of the community and surrounding areas with autism. Families, friends and anyone interested in walking or pledging a walker are invited to participate or attend.