On May 11, NECC held its 18th Annual NECC 5K Walk/Run for Autism.
Much like past years, the event served to raise awareness and garner support for autism education, however, the scale and reach of this year’s race broke multiple records. Over 1,000 students, staff, family, and friends of NECC helped to raise nearly $324,000 for NECC’s Annual Fund, which supports student activities, specialized equipment and technology, vocational opportunities, professional development, and research.
“The NECC 5K has really grown over the last five years,” said Beth McGonagle, senior director of the Development and Communications Department at NECC. “We have more local businesses, more corporate support, more families, and more community members participating. It’s such a fun day.”
Another highlight of the 2024 NECC 5K was the virtual participation of numerous teams across New England and the world. More than 70 members from Team Cape (staff and families in the Public School Services programs around Cape Cod) walked a portion of the Cape Cod Rail Trail while several members from a partner classroom in New Hampshire completed the 3.1 miles together. And in Abu Dhabi, a dozen staff from the consulting team walked to show their support for autism education from afar.
Kristen Buchanan, MSEd, BCBA, executive director of Global Consulting, shared that the Abu Dhabi crew walked as part of the Miles for Mimi team, which honored their late colleague Amy Posocco, a longtime NECC staff member who passed away last July. Posocco helped establish the program that grew to become the Mohammed Bin Rashid Center for Special Education (MRC-NECC) in Abu Dhabi.
“Amy was an amazing friend and mentor,” said Buchanan. “But more than that, she was an integral part of the early success of NECC Abu Dhabi. She will always be remembered for her contributions here.”
In Southborough, nearly 70 members walked for the Miles for Mimi team.
Posocco loved the NECC 5K because of its ability to showcase the best of what NECC stands for and the way it brings both the NECC and local community together.
“The NECC 5K represents an opportunity for everyone to come together outside of it being just school,” said Gianna DeSante, a level 2 teacher on the Francine Road residential team. “This day really demonstrates that the community backs what NECC is doing, and I think that’s really special for our students and their families.”