The Ponte Vedra Beach-based HEAL (Helping Enrich Autistic Lives) Foundation raised $70,000 and assembled 3,000 attendees at the organization’s 11th annual HEAL Autism Walk at the Zoo on Sunday, April 28.
The event at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is a fun-filled day of zoo animals, music and activities. Following the walk, the HEAL After Party took place on the Great Lawn. Jordan Price (emcee) and DJ MoneyGud from POWER 106.1 hosted the After Party, which featured music, bounce houses, face painting and a rock-climbing wall.
The HEAL Foundation team was helped by 100 volunteers and 25 local resource vendors.
HEAL has gifted over $2 million in grants to local camps, support groups, seminars, organizations and schools that serve those with autism. After witnessing the progress students with autism are making with iPads, HEAL has gifted 400 iPads to local Exceptional Student Education (ESE) classrooms through the iHEAL - iPads Helping Enrich Autistic Lives initiative. HEAL’s next initiative is to gift five all abilities parks to ensure people of all abilities are able to play, learn, socialize and have fun in the community.
