Chloe 5k rocks Rensselaer for a cause

RENSSELAER, Ind. (WLFI) - Once a year runners and walkers take their mark to make a mark on autism research. The Rayburn family of Rensselaer started what they call the "Chloe Challenge" five years ago to help jump-start local donations to the Organization for Autism Research. Their now 14-year-old daughter Chloe was diagnosed with autism. Chloe's mother Susie Rayburn said she never expected the race to grow this fast.

"When we had 95 people or so, we were thrilled just to have that many because it was quite a crew then. We have people from all over, someone came from Ohio today. I don't know how she heard about it," said Rayburn. 

Rayburn said the community response to the race is overwhelming at times. She said a long list of corporate sponsors and individual donors are helping the Rayburns surpass their fundraising goal.

"This year we hoped to hit our $50,000 dollar mark, and we hit that. In our five years we've raised $50,000 for autism research," said Rayburn. 

Rayburn said now one out of every 110 people are on the autism spectrum and that is one reason why people care about the race. Ken Pangle said he heard about the race while at work in Remington. He said two of his children are on the spectrum.

"Unless you are touched by autism, you don't realize how little sometimes things are done in the state for it. So whatever money we can raise, whatever word we can get out about how important it is," said Pangle.