Mark Lyons admits he gets emotional talking about the support his son receives in the community.
His son Jack has Autism. Mark does not complain about it, that’s not what Mark Lyons is about.
He believes Jack has helped put a face to Autism around the community.
“So many people high five him at the games he is a happy guy and I am very lucky,” said Lyons about his 14-year-old son who attends Chippewa.
“It makes my day when we are out in the community and people are out there saying, ‘that’s Jack,’ and they know who he is and my wife and I are very lucky that he is as happy as he is. People go out of the way to help us so much you know.”
Lyons is grateful, and that is why for the fourth year now, he is organizing the Light it up Blue event on Tuesday, April 2nd to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day from 6 to 8 p.m. at city hall.
There will be entertainment, face painting for the kids, along with an information/merchandise booth set up by P.L.A.Y.S.
Everyone is welcome but guests are asked to wear blue.
“I started calling friends about doing this and called a lighting company and found a way to make it work and everybody has been very supportive of it,” noted Lyons about the idea of the blue event.
“I am very lucky to have friends and family that always support this.”
Lyons says the event means a lot to families with autistic children.
“I am friends with a girl that has a little boy that understands, and he thinks this is like Christmas, he thinks it is a special day for a boy with autism,” he said.
Lyons is also selling Light it Up Blue socks and mittens to help support the event. They can be purchased at Carry-All Lumber on Seymour and Stockfish Ford Sales on Highway 17.
