Giant Steps Autism School Forges Relationship With Darien Lions Club

From Darien Patch: The Lions Club’s motto is “We serve.” So when Darien Lion Steve Hiatt got the call that Giant Steps school in Lisle needed a hand with its auction in February, it was a no brainer.

A group from the club manned the coatroom, collecting over the course of the evening about $750 in tips, said special event planner Jeni Fulton. They donated the tips, of course, to Giant Steps.

What started with one tip jar at one event has blossomed into a rewarding relationship between the Darien Lions Club and Giant Steps.

With the Lions help at events such as the auction, pancake breakfasts and a recent school picnic, Giant Steps’ staff is able to spend more time interacting with parents and students, said Executive Director Bridget O’Connor.

“It makes the event run so much easier,” she said. “For the first time I feel like my hair’s not on fire when I’m running an event.”

The Lions also give the parents and children a respite from some of the judgment they or their children may receive out in the larger world, O’Connor said.

While many people unfamiliar with autism treat the kids differently, she said there’s no such hesitation from the Lions.

“They treat our kids as if they were absolutely typical,” she said. “That’s such a sign of respect—the understanding that these are just kids. That to me is the coolest thing about them.”

Founded in 1996, Giant Steps serves both children and adults with autism through a variety of programs. Over the years, it’s grown from a starting class of nine students to 120 this coming fall.

For years, the Darien Lions have volunteered with Little Friends, a Naperville-based organization for people with autism.

A parent whose child moved from Little Friends to Giant Steps asked Hiatt if the Lions would be willing to volunteer at that program, too.

“We’ve always gotten by on the grace of others,” O’Connor said. “The [Lions have] taken it to a while other level.”

Hiatt, who has a stepson with autism, is quick to turn the compliment back to the Giant Steps staff.

“These people work every day, 40, 60, 80 hours a week with these kids,” he said. “When someone helps them, they are so appreciative. It’s really humbling.”