The 2006 Hands and Hearts Walk-a-thon for Autism and Family Fun Day kicked off at 10:30 a.m. on September 23, 2006, at Bristol Community College. The event benefits Community Autism Resources and supports their mission to provide vital services to families at no charge. The event featured activities including one-on-one basketball, a bubble creation station, and Music with Marcy Gregoire of Community Autism Resources in Freetown. The heart-healthy walking route took participants down Elsbree Street to President Avenue, continued to Ray Street, and returned to the campus via Langley Street, five kilometers altogether. Teams from across the region raised money and walked the route. Before the day ended, the winners of two free registrations for the ASD Symposium in Providence were announced, as well as two Patriots tickets which were auctioned off.
 

(Top row, left) Lisa of the Fall River Early Intervention Program watches as Donato and Brandon try their hand at basketball. (Top row, center) Gianna of Saugus and Sam of Fall River create giant bubbles at the bubble creation station. (Top row, right) Marcy Gregoire leads Hope and Aaron in some musical games. (Middle row, left) Lisa Pimental pulls Mackenzie while her sister, Alexis, looks on. (Middle row, center) Jasmin Hicks and Tarina Pilling of the New Bedford "Little Ds" team carries their banner back to the BCC campus after the walk. (Bottom row) Employees of People, Inc. make their way back along Elsbree Street.