Easterseals Southern California (ESSC)—which assists more than 15,000 people with disabilities in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Imperial, Kern, San Bernardino, Riverside and Ventura counties — will hold its 23rd annual Strides for Disability walk, Saturday, Oct. 21, in Long Beach.  Last year’s event exceeded our $100,000 fundraising goal … Come help us meet this year’s goal of $140,000! 

GUESTS: Performing once again will be the Long Beach Beauties, a cheerleading squad comprised of people with disabilities. Also on hand for the festivities will be members of the Orange County Ghostbusters with their Ghostbuster Mobile, the Kids Can Cosplay, Star Wars Cosplayers and Norky the Peneagle costumed character. Leading warmups this year is a group from Straight Up Abilities, which provides professional performance art training to students with and without disabilities.  

Registered participants will receive a t-shirt, draw string bag, finishing medal and beachball, as well as access to the “Partners Plaza,” featuring games, giveaways, music, photo booth, temporary tattoos, face painting, complimentary snacks, drinks and more.  

Strides for Disability honors diversity, promotes inclusion and shows what disability means today. This unifying and spirited event brings together a diverse group of people—with and without disabilities—to break down barriers and show what’s possible with the right access, opportunities and support. Together, we celebrate the strides we’re taking to change the way the world defines and views disability while making positive, meaningful differences in people’s lives. 

All proceeds directly benefit ESSC programs, including autism therapy services, adult day services, child development services, living options, and employment services. 

WHAT:  ESSC’s 23rd annual Strides for Disability 5k Run & 3k Family Fun Walk 

WHEN:  Saturday, Oct. 21. On-site registration/bib & t-shirt pickup, 7 a.m.; program/mission moments, 8:45 a.m.; 5k run begins, 9:15 a.m.; 3k Family Fun Walk begins, 9:30 a.m. 
 

WHERE:  Marina Green Park, 386 E. Shoreline Dr., Long Beach, CA 90803 

Parking is located at Marina Green Park via pay stations, $6 for 2 hours.  

REGISTER: On-site or online: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/esscp2p 

Adults, $40; Children (6-12), $10; Kids (5 & under), no fee but must be registered. Dogs are welcome!  

SPONSORS: Albertson/Vons/Pavillions, AAA, Acclara, American Business Bank, American Career College, Amway, Assure Assist Inc., Mark Bertrand, California Telecom Inc., CAPTRUST, Fraternal Order of Police, JLC Associates, JR Resources, Mercer, T-Mobile and United Healthcare, West Coast University.

IN-KIND SERVICES:  Amway Nutrilite DreamMakers, Cal Able, CVS Pharmacy, Fit Learning, Hollywood Bug Wrangler Diana Terranova, Kaiser Permanente, Kids Can Cosplay, Orange County Ghost Busters, LATHER, Long Beach Beauties, Norky the Peneagle, Panacea Holistic Institute, Pepsico, Pocari Sweat, Star Wars Cosplayers, Straight Up Abilities, Thera-Pose Long Beach, Tides of Kindness and the South County Photo Club. 

About Easterseals Southern California 

Easterseals is leading the way to full equity, inclusion and access through life-changing disability and community services. For more than 100 years, we have worked tirelessly with our partners to enhance quality of life and expand local access to healthcare, education and employment opportunities. Easterseals Southern California provides essential services and on-the-ground supports to more than 15,000 people each year—from early childhood programs for the critical first five years to autism services, daily and independent living services for adults, employment programs, veterans’ services and more. Our public education, policy and advocacy initiatives positively shape perceptions and address the urgent and evolving needs of the one in four Americans with disabilities today. Together, we’re empowering people with disabilities, families and communities to be full and equal participants in society.  

Learn more at:  https://www.easterseals.com/southerncal  

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