An event to raise awareness and funds for autism will be held later this year at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond.

Veronica DeMarest, sales and marketing representative, H&K Group Inc., made the announcement at Wednesday’s Palmerton Chamber of Commerce luncheon held at Joey B’s.

DeMarest said that while they are still ironing out the details, that H&K will host the event to raise awareness and funds for autism June 3.

She said the event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is from 9-10 a.m., and businesses may set up for the Business Expo before 9 a.m.

DeMarest said the event is a walk, run or dance, and will include a Touch-A-Truck component compliments of H&K, Pocono Raceway playground, the 2.5 mile Tricky Triangle, along with country music and country line dancing.

She said the event is very near and dear to the heart of H&K’s Chief Operating Officer Jimmy Haines, who also has a son who was diagnosed with autism. DeMarest said her oldest son is also autistic.

“He (Haines) was phenomenally supportive,” DeMarest said. “I’m hoping some of you or all of you will help make the event successful.”

DeMarest said the beneficiaries are Supporting Autism & Families Everywhere, as well The Arc of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

“We’re trying to make this event as huge as possible to support both of these wonderful organizations,” she said.

DeMarest said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines autism spectrum disorder, or autism, as a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges.

According to the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 1 in 54 children had a diagnosis of ASD by age 8 in 2016, a nearly 10% increase over 2014 when the estimate was 1 in 59.

About H&K Group

Based out of Skippack, Montgomery County, DeMarest said H&K Group Inc. began as a small family business that was founded in 1968 as Haines & Kibblehouse Inc.

DeMarest said the company unified and consolidated to H&K Group Inc., and throughout the years has grown to over 70 operations in three states.

Capable of operating individually, or as a collective team of affiliates, she said H&K Group offers products and services that are unrivaled in our business sector.

H&K’s core products include construction materials and building materials, while core services include site and land development; transportation and structures; water and wastewater; design-build and value engineering; environmental; demolition; reclamation fill; materials recycling; and emergency response.

Chamber member Joe Bennett told DeMarest the company “is doing a fantastic job with the bridge on Ninth Street.”

H&K Group is the general contractor on the $21 million Route 443 project which is currently underway.

DeMarest said they appreciate the cooperation from motorists throughout the construction and traffic constraints.

“It will be worth it,” she said. “I promise.”