By SHERRY DIGMON
News Publisher
Eunice Johnson has a number of interests she’s involved in including community food drives and the annual Patterson Street Fun Day. But one of her deepest interests – and her mission – is to raise autism awareness.
Saturday afternoon, April 5, she hosted the second annual Autism Awareness Banquet. A number of special guests attended, but the most special guests were the autistic children themselves.
Pastor Gary Whitley, Harris Street AOH Church, and Minister Brandon Tanner prayed blessings over the children and their parents.
Among those making comments during the program were Marlo Young, New Mindset Consulting LLC, Atmore; and Tamakio York-Patterson, Jewel ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) Therapy, Stockbridge, Ga. York-Patterson, a native of Atmore, is interested in offering services in this area for autistic children – no definite plans, but perhaps a vision. As Johnson said Saturday and has often said, there are no such services in this area.
Certificates were awarded to children, and each one received a gift to take home. Following door prizes, the dance floor was open for children who enjoyed dancing to the music provided by DJ Double R.
Johnson’s non-profit is EMJ Atmore Outreach. She has three autistic grandchildren.
The Autism Awareness Walk, also sponsored by Johnson, will be held Saturday, April 12, 10 a.m., beginning on North Main Street (across from Papa John’s) and ending at Heritage Park.