The organizer for the Light It Up Blue event which has taken place for the past four years at City Hall is encouraging local people to wear blue in support of World Autism Day which takes place every April 2.
"I just want people to wear blue, just as simple as wearing socks or lighting your house up with blue and tomorrow is world autism day," said Lyons, whose 15-year-old son Jack is autistic.
See related: Autism Awareness event cancelled but you can still help
For the past four years, Lyons has helped run the event to help raise money for autism awareness in the community. The COVID-19 crisis forced Lyons to cancel this year's event.
While the event was key to his fundraising, Lyons still had more than 300 pairs of blue socks he was looking to sell with $5 of the $20 cost going to the cause.
"From the first day, I basically was sitting in my truck with some 320 pairs of socks that were not going so well but then all of a sudden it hits the media and my phone lit up," said Lyons.
"It is unbelievable, a guy from Ottawa I had not heard from in years was the first guy."
Last year the event raised more than $4,000 which was given to One Kids Place in support of purchasing autism equipment.
Anyone interested in purchasing the socks can call Mark at (705) 471-5852 or email [email protected].
