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Danbury disability commission hears pitch for Puzzles 5K autism event set for April 25
Summary
A Danbury disability commission meeting on Feb. 10 featured a presentation by Ryan Fucci about 'Puzzles,' a new autism-focused nonprofit staging a free 5K and community fair at Hatteras Park on April 25, with vendors, live music and plans to share proceeds with local organizations.
Danbury City’s Commission for Persons with Disabilities heard a presentation on Feb. 10 from Ryan Fucci, founder of a new nonprofit called Puzzles, about a community-focused 5K and resource fair planned for April 25 at Hatteras Park.
Fucci said the event will be a 3.1-mile, sanctioned race with both competitive and noncompetitive divisions, live music, food trucks and more than 30 vendors offering autism-related services and supports. “We’re expecting minimum at least 200 runners. So far, we have 40,” Fucci said, adding that total attendance could reach “600 to 700 people” across participants and visitors.
The event, Fucci said, is designed to be free for families and to highlight local resources. He described Puzzles as an outreach effort built to connect families with services, not just an awareness activity: “What we are trying to build in this city… is to highlight the resources that are in this community for autism specifically,” he said. Fucci said the race will be sanctioned by a track organization to provide insurance coverage and attract competitive runners, and that the Danbury Police Department is assisting with permits and road‑closure planning for the route from Hatteras Park to the Amber Room and back.
Fucci outlined vendor and programming details: five live bands, 12 sponsor-supported inflatables, more than 30 business and service vendors (including ABA providers and local schools), and an accessible “Vendor Village” to showcase supports and small businesses run by people with disabilities. He also described a revenue plan: after expenses, half of net proceeds will go to an organization selected by the race winner and the other half will fund future Puzzles events.
Commission members volunteered logistical help and asked Fucci to share flyers and a contact list for outreach. Fucci provided a contact number to follow up and said he will distribute color flyers and reach out to state agencies and neighboring towns to broaden participation beyond Danbury.
The commission did not take a formal vote on the event during the meeting; commissioners agreed to support outreach efforts and to staff a table at the Vendor Village. The event is scheduled for April 25 at Hatteras Park; organizers said permits and police coordination remain in progress.
