Autism Connections to Host Gala at Springfield History Museum

SPRINGFIELD — Autism Connections, the autism center serving Western Mass., is hosting its ninth annual Stepping Out for Autism gala on Saturday, Jan. 27 at the Springfield History Museum.

The fund-raiser, which allows guests access to the museum’s exhibits on local history, is open to all and includes silent and live auctions as well as dancing to the OTones.

Tickets for the event cost $60. All proceeds from the night benefit families across Western Mass. who are caring for an individual with autism. Lending talent to this year’s event as emcee and auctioneer is WWLP-22 News and CW Springfield news anchor Rich Tettemer. Also joining Stepping Out this year is 94.7 WMAS.

Autism Connections was founded in 1989 by parents of children with autism and has served thousands of local families as they navigate the complicated world of autism. Staffed by autism specialists, Autism Connections works closely with family members to provide a wide variety of services in Easthampton and Pittsfield, including social-skills groups, intensive in-home supports, parent trainings, and educational advocacy. Autism Connections also accepts referrals by the Department of Developmental Services.

Autism Connections is a program of Springfield-based Pathlight, a social-services organization serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Western Mass.

This year’s event is made possible in part thanks to the generosity of community sponsors the Dowd Agencies, Balise Auto Group, and Berkshire Bank.

For more information on Autism Connections or Stepping Out for Autism, call (413) 529-2428 or visit autismconnectionsma.org.