Hormel Historic Home’s autism outreach program receives $5,000
Published 9:03 am Wednesday, June 6, 2018
- Mary Barinka (left), Community Autism Resource Specialist at the Hormel Historic Home, and Holly Johnson, executive director of the Hormel Historic Home (far right), applaud Tony Delhanty, who made a $5,000 donation to the Hormel Historic Home’s Autism Friendly Austin initiative. Hannah Yang/hannah.yang@austindailyherald.com
There was a significant financial boost for the Autism Friendly Austin initiative on Monday night.
Hormel Historic Home received a $5,000 donation, which was presented by Tony Delhanty, a father of a young son, Quinn, who was diagnosed on the autism spectrum. Delhanty’s employer at Oshkosh Corporation, had allowed employees to “compete” for money that’d be donated to an organization of their choice.
Delhanty had chosen the Hormel Historic Home to be the recipient of the $5,000, citing that the autism programming that’s done through the Hormel Historic Home was highly needed in the community, and that he was excited that Quinn would be able to join some of the upcoming summer camps for children on the autism spectrum.
This gesture was significant for the Hormel Home, since their outreach program “Autism Friendly Austin” helped more than 100 families since the program’s start ten years ago, with connections to resources, support and events for their loved ones with autism. The donation—even though Johnson stated there wasn’t a specific plan for the money—would help with staffing and additional programming down the road.
“We’re elated,” she added.