A social-distanced rally.

Motorists traveling along Nacogdoches Road on Saturday afternoon received a glimpse of a social distancing pep rally that honored a local teen’s donation to the Autism Treatment Center. Adrian “A.J.” Ortiz, beamed as the participants of the mini-parade crowded into the center’s parking lot.

“Let’s make some noise!” said his mother Deseri Ybarra, 43, sparking the start of the motorcade.

Drivers beeped their horns and flashed headlights as they rolled past a reveler clanging a cowbell. Ybarra hugged her son as the procession passed in front of him, bearing colorful signs, decorative flourishes and Autism Awareness and American flags flapping in the wind.

“I was in shock and awe,” said Ortiz, 18.

The teen, who has autism, sold 200 handmade key chains during a three-week period to benefit the center. Before the rally, he presented Cynthia Hamilton, development director for the center, with a $576 check. It was 30 percent of the proceeds and is slated for the center’s residential program.

“He really has a great heart,” Hamilton said. “He’s an amazing young man. He’s doing this to help individuals with autism who can’t do the things that he can do.”

Hamilton said that because of the coronavirus, the center currently isn’t open. It has 43 children and adults with autism residing at seven group homes and 18 students in its school who are in distance-learning classes.

Family members said that in the past, they took part in the Fishing for Autism event in Corpus Christi but that because of the coronavirus, they stayed home this year. Ortiz told his family that he wanted to still contribute, and he came up with the idea to sell Autism Awareness puzzle key chains.

The teen began making the chains after an online video tutorial peaked his interest. Each chain can take between 20 and 45 minutes to make.

Ybarra said the project not only gave her son an outlet but also a way to continue making contributions to his chosen cause.

She said Ortiz’s younger brother, Jeric, 17, supports him and is always there to lift him up and help whenever he is feeling down.

“He wakes up in the morning with a smile because he knows he’s going to make people happier and help out a cause that he’s involved with himself,” said Jeric, an incoming senior at Antonian College Preparatory High School. “It’s only the beginning. I’m excited to see what else is to come.”

Ortiz’s tight-knit family surrounded him during the event.

His grandparents Paula and Rolando C. Salas said the family is blessed to have Ortiz in their lives.

Paula Salas, 62, said that when the parade started to roll, so did her tears. She said they’re so proud of their grandson, whom they raised while his parents were at work.

“He’s the one that’s helped us become better people,” said Rolando Salas, 63, “and appreciate life more. Sometimes when we see things that are a struggle, it ends up being a blessing. That’s what A.J. is for us. He’s a blessing.”