Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Napanee Powersports will be one of a handful of start points across Ontario and Quebec for the May 25 ASD United Motorcycle Ride for Autism.
For a $40 minimum donation, bikers can meet at the Napanee location (324 centre St. N) for a rally at 9 a.m. and then hit the road at 10 a.m. bound for the Ottawa Valley Powersports and Motorcycle Show (OVPS) in Navan, On. The total distance is about 255 km from Napanee. The entry to the show is included in the $40 registration for the ride. Once there, Napanee riders will meet up with fellow bikers who have departed from different locations for a rally aimed at raising funds and awareness for families living with autism.
A motorcycle event will be the first ride of its kind hosted by ASD United, a grass roots organization dedicated to assisting families living with autism. In previous years they’ve held watercraft rides, ATV and snowmobile treks. This event figures to be their biggest yet.
The organization was founded by Paul Taylor and his wife Nicole in 2017. They had both volunteered for other autism organizations but felt there was a better way to help those who needed it most.
“We just recognized a lot of the money was going back to bigger offices rather than back to the families,” said Taylor. “We started ASD United in 2017, we started with three families that would meet at local parks and social gatherings and we’ve grown to the point where we’re now 300 families strong. Our families range from Kingston area all the way to Cornwall and into Quebec. Our efforts include weekly pool programs, monthly skate programs and bi-weekly activities including arts and crafts. We now offer training for first responders. We’re developing a program with the eastern Ontario OPP on teaching identifying those with special needs using alternative communication.”
They’re also working towards funding a national camp for autism which will be built in Quebec’s Grenville-sur-la-Rouge.
“It’s going to be a huge stepping stone for ASD United and the autism camp,” Taylor said of the May 25 ride.
To learn more about the event visit www.RidesforAutism.ca or email RidesForAutism@gmail.com.