Mark Lyons is frustrated that he needs to postpone the Light it Up Blue event scheduled for City Hall on April 2.
"I am really upset with myself that I have to cancel Light it Up Blue for now," said the local event organizer.
"We are basically in a holding pattern that if I can pull it off if I can't just postpone it I have to cancel it for this year."
See related: North Bay father passionate about Light it Up Blue
This spring would mark the fifth straight year for the charity event. Last year the event raised more than $4,000 which was given to One Kids Place in support of purchasing autism equipment.
"We still have special needs kids that I am trying to find a way to make it better for them and my son is one of them but it is everybody else that I am friends in that community," said Lyons.
However, even if the event is officially cancelled, the car salesman at Stockfish Ford is still trying to raise some funds by selling blue socks in honour of World Autism Day. He's selling the socks for $20 per pair ($5 going to Autism) and hopes to raise $1500 through those sales.
"That's what I am hoping for and something towards Autism North Bay is going to be what it is for sure," said Lyons.
"We were very big on making sure it stayed local and it affected our kids in North Bay so I want to give back something Autism in North Bay along with special needs awareness in this town. It is all I have ever wanted to do. We just have not nailed what we want to do."
Lyons understands that helping charities becomes a smaller priority with all the uncertainty revolving around the COVID-19 pandemic,
"I am a self-employed guy, I work commission and I am at work," explains Lyons, whose 15-year-old son Jack is autistic.
"There are people that cannot go to work and it is not their fault, it is just hard. The reality for me is I still have to get through this with my family and I still have to get these socks sold to give back to the community because I still think they need me and I think our special needs community needs us. My phone rings every day with people looking for help. That's what I do it for, the kids."
Anyone interested in purchasing the socks can go to Stockfish Ford and ask for Mark or they can email Mark at [email protected].
