For Immediate Release
18th Annual Strides for Disability Raises Over $116,000 for Easterseals of Southern California
Nearly 1,500 Participants Made Strides in the Right Direction to Change the Way We View Disability
Irvine, CA, November 5, 2018
Media Contact:
Vicki Greenleaf, Greenleaf and Associates
vicki@greenleafandassociates.com
323.573.5111
Kelly Williams
kelly@greenleafandassociates.com
323.660.5800
Easterseals Southern California (ESSC) – which assists more than 10,000 people with disabilities – announced today that its 18th annual Strides for Disability walk, held Oct. 20 in Long Beach, raised more than $116,000 and was attended by nearly 1,500 participants, setting an event record for attendance.
During the event, ESSC also kicked off the national celebration of Easterseals’ 100th anniversary in 2019 in a special way, making an exciting “reveal” via Facebook Live, announcing that it will launch a year-long observation on New Year’s Day with a Rose Parade© float. Themed around disability inclusion, riders on the 20-foot-tall float will be people from around the country who benefit from Easterseals services.
Once again hosting this year’s event as emcees and back by popular demand were actor/comedians Nic Novicki (Loudermilk, Boardwalk Empire, Gotham Comedy Live), an Easterseals board member and founder of the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge; and Johnny Cardinale (Chelsea Lately). Also on hand for the festivities this year was actress Jamie Brewer, who plays “Addie” on American Horror Story, the first model with Down Syndrome to walk the runway at New York Fashion Week and winner of “Best Actor” for Whitney’s Wedding in the 2017 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge; and singing the national anthem was longtime ESSC supporter, singer-actor John W. Lawson (American Horror Story, Law & Order, Super).
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.
Held at Shoreline Aquatic Park, the event (which features a 5k run, 3k family fun walk and street fair) raises money to support ESSC services — including adult/senior day services; autism therapy; child development/early education; employment services and veteran employment support; and independent living options — and enjoys broad-based sponsorship support from the community.
2018 Sponsors: CVS Pharmacy, Century 21, Amway, Mark Bertrand, Century 21 Desert Rock branch, TruMoo, South County Photo Club, Anthem Blue Cross, Journeys Martial Arts Academy, HomeStreet Bank, Banana Boat, Ultimate Software, Fraternal Order of the Police, CVS Minute Clinic, Fuze, Center for Behavioral Sciences. U.S. Bank, ENM Sales & Services, Bon Süisse, Justin’s, Frito Lay, Mike Thompson’s RV Super Stores, Sōl Foot & Ankle Centers, Pronto Insurance, Aquafina, L.A. Galaxy, Naked Juice, Jelley Brown, Laugh Factory, Mercury Events, Centria Autism Services, Softchoice, T Mobile, Grocery Outlet, Autism Speaks, Medical Specialties Managers, Netsmart, Behavioral Health Works and Natura’s.
Photo IDs: Courtesy of Easterseals
Rose Parade Float Reveal #1
Easterseals Southern California (ESSC) officially kicked off the national celebration of Easterseals’ 100th anniversary in 2019 in a special way, making an exciting “reveal” via Facebook Live at ESSC’s 18th annual Strides for Disability fundraiser, Oct. 20 in Long Beach. The non-profit will launch the year-long observation on New Year’s Day with its first Rose Parade float. Themed around disability inclusion, riders on the 20-foot-tall float will be people from around the country who benefit from Easterseals programs. Making the announcement were L-R: Andre Filip, ESSC board member and founder and CEO of E/LA - A Global Creative Ad Agency; Mark Whitley, CEO, ESSC: and ESSC Board Chair Molly Pyott, whose “Team Pyott” took 2nd place in the 5k fundraising effort with $6,307.
Rose Parade Float Reveal #2
Mark Whitley, CEO of Easterseals Southern California, listens to ESSC board chair Molly Pyott – whose “Team Pyott” took 2nd place in the fundraising effort with $6,307 – as they officially kicked off the national celebration of Easterseals’ 100th anniversary in 2019 in a special way, making an exciting “reveal” via Facebook Live at Easterseals Southern California’s 18th annual Strides for Disability fundraiser, Oct. 20 in Long Beach. The non-profit will launch the year-long observation on New Year’s Day with its first Rose Parade float. Themed around disability inclusion, riders on the 20-foot-tall float will be people from around the country who benefit from Easterseals programs.
Jamie Brewer
On hand for the festivities this year was actress Jamie Brewer (left), who plays “Addie” on American Horror Story, the first model with Down Syndrome to walk the runway at New York Fashion Week and winner of “Best Actor” for Whitney’s Wedding in the 2017 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge. With her is Dan Quinn, Sr. Director, Corporate Relations, Easterseals Southern California.
And the Winner is …
Dan Quinn (2nd from left), Sr. Director, Corporate Relations, Easterseals Southern California, recognizes Century 21’s King, Peak, Town & Country and Desert Rock branches which all brought teams totaling 75 participants. Desert Rock’s “Rock the Walk” team took first place in the fundraising effort with $8,120, under the guidance of captain Mandy Gilmore (third from right).
Handing Out Awards
Presenting awards to race winners at Easterseals Southern California’s 18th annual Strides for Disability fundraiser, Oct. 20 in Long Beach, were (left) actor-comedian and event co-emcee Nic Novicki (Loudermilk, Boardwalk Empire, Gotham Comedy Live), an Easterseals board member and founder of the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge; and (center) singer-actor John W. Lawson (American Horror Story, Law & Order, Super), a longtime ESSC support who sang the national anthem; and Marin Bradshaw, Costa Mesa, who took first place in the 5k, female age division 36-50.
Nic Novicki
With the Queen Mary as the backdrop, 1,450 participants (an event record!) at Easterseals Southern California’s 18th annual Strides for Disability fundraiser, Oct. 20 in Long Beach, were greeted by actor-comedian and event co-emcee Nic Novicki (Loudermilk, Boardwalk Empire, Gotham Comedy Live), an Easterseals board member and founder of the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge.
John Lawson
Singer-actor John W. Lawson (American Horror Story, Law & Order, Super), who sang the national anthem prior to the start of Easterseals Southern California’s 18th annual Strides for Disability fundraiser, Oct. 20 in Long Beach, crosses the 5k finish line.
Johnny Cardinale
Actor-comedian and event co-emcee Johnny Cardinale (Chelsea Lately) crosses the 5k finish line at Easterseals Southern California’s 18th annual Strides for Disability fundraiser, Oct. 20 in Long Beach.
Street Fair Fun
Face painting was one of the many family fun activities at the street fair at Easterseals Southern California’s 18th annual Strides for Disability fundraiser, Oct. 20 in Long Beach, which raised more than $116,000 to support ESSC services, including adult/senior day services; autism therapy; child development/early education; employment services and veteran employment support; and independent living options.
About Easterseals Southern California:
For nearly 100 years, Easterseals has been an indispensable resource for individuals with developmental disabilities or other special needs and their families. The services provided by Easterseals Southern California (ESSC) – in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Imperial, Kern, San Bernardino, Riverside and Ventura counties – make profound and positive differences in people's lives every day, helping them address life’s challenges and achieve personal goals so that they can live, learn, work and play in our communities. With 2,700 employees, 60+ service sites and hundreds of community partnership locations, ESSC assists more than 10,000 people, providing adult/senior day services; autism therapy; child development/early education; employment services, veteran employment support; independent living options; and more. At Easterseals, 88% of our income is spent on services. Join us in changing the way the world defines and views disabilities.
