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.