This story was originally published in the Holly Spring 150 Celebration Website
When Gaile and Matt Valcho relocated from South Florida to Holly Springs in 2016, they brought with them a mission rooted in love for their son, Brady. Diagnosed with autism at age 2-and-a-half, Brady had been surrounded by a dedicated support team. But as the Valchos settled into their new North Carolina home, they noticed something missing: a centralized way for families to find the local resources and connections they desperately needed.
Rather than waiting for a solution to appear, Gaile took a literal running start. While out with the Holly Springs Run Club, she shared the challenges her family faced, and found immediate, enthusiastic partners in Captain Mike Patterson and the Police Department.
“I saw something that was lacking in the community,” Gaile said, “and I took it upon myself to do something about it.”
From Ten Tables to a Town Tradition
In 2017, that collaboration sparked the first Holly Springs Autism Acceptance Day. Gaile remembers the nerves of that first event at the Law Enforcement Center, wondering if anyone would show up. She needn't have worried. Families began to pour in, proving that the need for connection was even greater than she had imagined.
What started with just ten tables years ago has blossomed into a signature annual event. Now entering its 10th year, the foundation’s event has grown so large it is moving to Sugg Farm to accommodate the increase in vendors and guests. Families now travel from as far as Lake Gaston and Pittsboro to attend, seeking the community and resources they can’t find anywhere else.
On October 16th, 2025 the BVA Foundation and HANDS Center for Autism donated a sensory interactive pod to the Poe Center for Health Education of Raleigh, NC. The interactive pod will be used by people of all ages, especially neurodiverse individuals, who need a safe retreat from sensory overload.
On July 7, 2025, Brady and Matt Valcho were honored to visit the Fayetteville, NC Police Department. Captain Strepay met them in the lobby with over 20 other officers and administrators. The BVA Foundation donated 75 Sensory Tool Kits to their patrol vehicles and school resource officers. They will receive our autism training later this year.
Today we donated to one of our favorite places, We Rock the Spectrum, as part of our summer camp scholarship program. This money is used to assist families financially, so that their children can participate in summer camps across Wake County. As parents of an autistic teen, we know how important summer camps are, not only for the children, but for the parents as well.
July is Disabilities Pride Month. Brady is proudly donating one of our sensory tool kits to his favorite barber Abby, at CHOP Barbershop in Holly Springs. This can help any neurodivergent person with sensory issues while they're getting a fresh haircut.
Today the Brady Valcho Foundation did something they love! ❤️
Because of the generosity of others we can help amazing organizations in our community that directly support our children with special needs.
Building Connections is an amazing summer camp and social skills organization that does exceptional things with our kids. We hope this donation can help a family send their child to camp this summer!
We are please to share this picture of the Brady Valcho Autism Foundation accepting a $500 donation from Leith Toyota. We are so grateful for their generous donation so that we can continue our mission of providing free law-enforcement training and summer scholarships to autistic children.
In this conversation, Gaile Valcho discusses the evolution of the Holly Springs Autism Acceptance Day, highlighting the importance of community engagement, police involvement, and the establishment of a nonprofit organization to support families with autistic children. (Click the image below to listen.)
