Fundraising for autism awareness and acceptance

Perfect weather on June 14 helped make the fourth annual Autism Acceptance Fundraiser by the Aurora’s Guiding Light Foundation (AGLF) at Bonnie and Clyde’s Gangster Park in Harshaw a memorable event.

“Aurora’s Guiding Light Foundation is dedicated to empowering individuals with autism and their families through advocacy, education, and supportive services, fostering a more inclusive and understanding community,” the mission statement reads at the top of the AGLF Facebook page.

The fundraiser is named for Aurora, the 12-year-old of Alexandra Kuckkahn, the president of AGLF. 

She said it was the first year people who attended were able to donate electronically as the previous three AGLF fundraisers were cash only. 

Kuckkahn said another important “first” this year was it was the  first time the AGLF fundraiser was held as a non-profit, 501(c)3 event. 

“We are in brand new territory as a non-profit,” she said. “Gangster Park has been our biggest venue to date.”

Kuckkahn said there were “multiple forms of entertainment” to include two live bands.

“There was a silent disco and Justin Pitlik DJ’d,” she said. “It was a giant production this year. We also had multiple vendors, two food trucks, ice cream trucks, face painting, cookie decorating station ... it was pretty big.”

Kuckkhan acknowledged it was a “kid-friendly” event but also noted the time from 4 to 8 p.m. on the day of the event there was an effort to “try to build a music festival that was centered for adults.”

“We realize autism doesn’t end at 18,” she said. “We wanted to be able to build something for people on and off the spectrum as well.”

Kuckkahn said while the goal of the event, obviously, is to raise money for autism awareness, “the very cool thing” about it is “we made it better for people with the disability than ever before.”

“We had so many families of people with all different types of disabilities and they stayed for hours,” she said. “For my family, we’re lucky if we get 10 minutes sometimes when we go to an event in the community. So, to see that they were able to have such a good time and see that it was built for them is probably the most important part.”

Kuckkahn said around $40,000, the same amount as the 2025 AGLF fundraiser, was raised on June 14. 

“The same amount as last year,” she said and stressed again a difference. 

“This year, it was truly designed for people with disabilities,” Kuckkahn said. “That was the coolest part.”

Brian Jopek may be reached via email at [email protected].