State Rep. Dan Swanson, autism advocate Nicholas McMahill, Monmouth College student Lexy Clay, and Deb Grey-Gibson, legislative assistant for Senator Mike Halpin, join Galesburg’s Morning News to preview two free community events coming up later this month.
The Autism Awareness Event is Thursday, April 23, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Galesburg Public Library, 264 W. Main St., Galesburg. The Veteran and Senior Fair is Wednesday, April 29, from 9 a.m. to noon at The Vault, 185 S. Kellogg St., Galesburg. Both events are free and open to the public.
Topics covered in this interview:
- What the Autism Awareness Event is and how it has grown over three years
- Nicholas McMahill’s personal journey — diagnosed with autism in high school
- What autism actually is — and what it isn’t
- Common misconceptions about autism and the spectrum
- Organizations and agencies participating in the April 23 resource fair
- Mayor Peter Schwartzman’s proclamation at the event
- How the community can support those with autism beyond the event
- Rep. Swanson’s annual Veteran and Senior Fair — April 29 at The Vault
- New features this year — free haircuts and a canned food drive for the Knox County Veteran Assistance Commission pantry
- How to connect veterans with benefits and services they may not know about
Related: Galesburg autism advocate brings awareness event back April 23 — and a veteran fair follows April 29