About Side by Side

St. Gerard Center for Autism is celebrating Autism Acceptance Month with a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! Our Annual April First Words of Hope Luncheon has provided space for hundreds of locals in Henderson County to gather for lunch, hear a moving story, and raise funds for SGCA. In 2026, we're launching our new campaign in lieu of our Annual Luncheon, "Side by Side" for St. Gerard Center for Autism!

What is Side by Side?

"Side by Side" is an acknowledgement that SGCA desires a deeper connection with all of our supporters in Western North Carolina and beyond. By going beyond the four walls of a one day event, and in the spirit of being good stewards of our resources, we're creating a month long event, reaching out to link arms with any person, organization or company that has a desire to walk "Side by Side" with SGCA to make a difference in the lives of autistic individuals and those that support them. 

Sponsors

Side By Side Fundraiser Progress

$11,413.75

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$250,000.00

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What do the funds raised for Side by Side support?

In our commitment to partner fully "side by side" with our supporters in the local Hendersonville community and beyond, here are the ways that your funds raised for "Side by Side" will be utilized by St. Gerard Center for Autism:

  • "Feed The Need" our Adult Day Program for teenagers and young adults with autism and similar developmental disabilities
  • Materials and equipment that help SGCA continue to provide a nurturing environment for clients with varying sensory sensitivities and needs 
  • Staff Development and Continuing Education for our BCBA's, RBT's, and Administrative Staff (this includes professional conference fees for our professional therapists to learn from experts in the field and bring back new and evidence based strategies to help our clients succeed)
  • Onboarding and training that strives for excellence in comprehensive ABA therapy
  • Family Group Night, a free community outreach event held monthly in Hendersonville (and soon in Brevard!) that provides a healthy family meal, supportive care for children and adults with disabilities, and a time of social, emotional and educational support for parents and caregivers leading their families on their journey with autism
  • Community Advocacy for the Autistic Community - Participation in group discussions in Western North Carolina to ensure the community on the autism spectrum is included and prioritized
  • Community Partnerships - Partnerships with IAM, Salvation Army, Thrive, Smart Start Henderson County & Transylvania County, and more!

How to Participate in Side by Side

Fundraise

  • Start your journey by creating your fundraising page (Personal or Team!) 
  •  Make it fun! Create a Team Fundraising page to join in on some good friendly competition to see who can raise the most for St. Gerard Center for Autism by April 30th. 
  •  The Top 3 Teams who have raised the most dollars by midnight on April 30th will be awarded prizes from our Sponsors!
  • Badges – Earn different virtual badges for participating in a variety of ways

Become an SGCA Supporter

Become a Side by Side Sponsor!

Volunteer

  • Join us for our Community Garden day in April to help us make our garden beautiful for the spring!
  • Sign up to be a Family Group Night volunteer in 2026!

Spread the Word

  • Share our Facebook & Instagram Posts to help spread the word! Anyone can participate from all over the country and abroad! 
  • Sign-up for our E-Newsletter to get early access to our 2026 SGCA Side by Side Video launching in May — An insider look at what’s happening at St. Gerard Center for Autism in 2026!

2026 Side by Side Leaderboard

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View Full Leaderboard
  • 1 Dr Ogo Okpala $1,050.00
  • 2 Richard Prudhomme $525.00
  • 3 Ijeoma Okpala $525.00
  • 4 Dave & Stacy McFarland $525.00
  • 5 Anonymous $525.00
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Check out our Ambassador Sponsors!

Ambassador

Champion Comfort Experts

Champion Comfort Experts

https://championcomfortexperts.com/

Your MVP For Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, & Electrical Services in Hendersonville, NC!

Vannoy Construction

Vannoy Construction

https://www.jrvannoy.com/

Vannoy Construction builds complex projects to meet clients’ specific needs and expectations. We understand that building a project is a human enterprise, and we treat our clients like family through the entire process. From the beginning to the end of your project, Vannoy Construction is right along side you demonstrating the 4-H’s we live and work by.

Let's give a round of applause to our Advocate Sponsors!

Advocate

Knox Law

Knox Law

https://www.cknoxelderlaw.com/

The Knox Law team specializes in elder law. Whether it is helping our clients with estate planning, administration of trusts and estates, asset preservation, guardianships or other fiduciary services, our team of professionals stands ready to put our decades of experience to work for you. Attorney Caroline Knox is one of only a few Board-Certified Elder Law Attorneys (CELA) in the state of North Carolina.

Morrow Insurance

Morrow Insurance

https://www.morrowinsurance.com/

Founded in 1919, Morrow Insurance has over a century of proven dedication and commitment to the business community, individuals and families we serve. As an employee owned company, Morrow Insurance believes that people are what make an organization successful. To deliver on our promise of an exceptional customer experience, we know that our employees must have a passion for, and technical understanding of the insurance business. Combining this fundamental approach with a culture where the customer is at the center of everything we do allows us to create extraordinary results for our clients.

Stott's Ford

Stott's Ford

https://www.stottsford.com/

At Stott's Ford, we're known for our selection of new and used Ford models, but we have so many more services. With years of experience helping Hendersonville NC, Greer SC, Forest City and Travelers Rest drivers with everything related to their Ford model, we're your go-to resource, whether it's service, financing, and more. What you can count on is a team of enthusiasts standing in your corner to help with every part of the ownership process.

First Citizens Bank

First Citizens Bank

https://www.firstcitizens.com

First Citizens provides a full range of banking products and services to meet your individual or business financial needs.