Building Community & Connections: The Story of the Brady Valcho Autism Foundation
Contributed by Gaile Valcho
When Gaile and Matt Valcho relocated from South Florida to Holly Springs in 2016, they brought with them a mission rooted in love for their son, Brady. Diagnosed with autism at age 2-and-a-half, Brady had been surrounded by a dedicated support team. But as the Valchos settled into their new North Carolina home, they noticed something missing: a centralized way for families to find the local resources and connections they desperately needed.
Rather than waiting for a solution to appear, Gaile took a literal running start. While out with the Holly Springs Run Club, she shared the challenges her family faced, and found immediate, enthusiastic partners in Captain Mike Patterson and the Police Department.
“I saw something that was lacking in the community,” Gaile said, “and I took it upon myself to do something about it.”
From Ten Tables to a Town Tradition
In 2017, that collaboration sparked the first Holly Springs Autism Acceptance Day. Gaile remembers the nerves of that first event at the Law Enforcement Center, wondering if anyone would show up. She needn't have worried. Families began to pour in, proving that the need for connection was even greater than she had imagined.
What started with just ten tables years ago has blossomed into a signature annual event. Now entering its 10th year, the foundation’s event has grown so large it is moving to Sugg Farm to accommodate the increase in vendors and guests. Families now travel from as far as Lake Gaston and Pittsboro to attend, seeking the community and resources they can’t find anywhere else.
More Than Just a Resource Fair
The November event now hosts 40+ vendors, allowing guests to talk with neurodiversity experts, therapeutic providers, social groups, autism organizations, and related services, schools, camps, sports, recreation programs, and more.
But, in addition to connecting families with resources, the Valchos wanted the event to go beyond a standard information fair. They wanted a celebration.
“I wanted it to be a place where families could stay and have fun,” Gaile says.
At Autism Acceptance Day, every table offers a sensory activity. There are hot dogs, Kona Ice, and legendary guests like Happy Dan the Magic Man.
The impact is found in the moments between the music and the booths:
The 15-year-old teenager who spent the entire day dancing like no one was watching.
The parent who finally found the speech therapist who helped their child find their voice.
The smiles on the faces of children meeting firefighters and exploring the trucks in a safe, pressure-free environment.
“That, to me, is what makes a really great community,” Gaile says. “That’s what Holly Springs is.”
Building a Safer Holly Springs
The foundation’s work doesn’t end when the festival tents come down. Now a registered non-profit, the Brady Valcho Autism Foundation has become a partner for local first responders.
The foundation has distributed over 600 autism sensory tool kits to local police and fire departments. The kits are filled with fidget toys, sunglasses for visual support, communication boards, and more, giving first responders the tools they need to support neurodiverse individuals during high-stress situations, making the entire Town safer and more inclusive for residents.
Looking Forward
As Holly Springs celebrates its 150th year, the Valcho family, Gaile, Matt, and Brady, continue to look toward the future. From summer camp scholarships to sensory-friendly hours at the Hunt Center to the next Autism Acceptance Day, their influence is woven into the fabric of the Town.
Everyone is invited to Autism Acceptance Day on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, 11 a.m-2 p.m. at Sugg Farm Park.
Photographs contributed by the Valcho family showing images from past events.
