For Immediate Release
2021 Strides for Disability 3K Family Fun Walk Raises More Than $95,000 for Easterseals Services
Long Beach, Calif, November 5, 2021
While the 21st annual Strides for Disability 3K Family Fun Walk held on Saturday morning, October 23 at Shoreline Aquatic Park in Long Beach was the first in recent memory to get rain; it did not keep the 600 people in attendance from enjoying a wonderful morning supporting Easterseals Southern California disability services.
Thanks to the combined efforts of individuals, teams, and sponsors, more than $95,000 has been raised so far to support the services Easterseals provides for individuals and their families in local communities. Online donations have been extended through Monday, November 8, so the amount will likely increase for 2021.
The morning began with a DJ blasting music to hype the crowd, a photo booth, a few socially-distanced games, and roaming cosplayers. Participants enjoyed the festive atmosphere while they checked-in and grabbed goody sacks from volunteers, such as the team from Medical Specialties Managers, Inc. (MSM). The sacks were pre-filled with a Strides 2021 t-shirt, finishing medal, bib as well as other goodies to help participants enjoy the walk and adhere to safety protocols. Anthem Blue Cross and Amway staffed booths near the stage with fruit and fun giveaways to promote healthy and happy walkers.
The stage program began with greetings from Chief Advancement Officer Nancy Weintraub, CEO Mark Whitley, and Board Chair Andre Philip. During their remarks, they recognized the many sponsors and supporters who made Strides possible, the top 2021 fundraising teams, and the fact that the event raised close to $1.5M for Easterseals programs and participants over the past 20 years, before leading into the final countdown and the DJ blowing the horn that sent the enthusiastic participants around the 3K course.
The top fundraising teams acknowledged were The Morris Clan, featuring board member Claudia Villamizar; Amway Nutrilite DreamMakers, featuring captain Patrice Martin; Team Adam Rochte/#638 San Pedro, representing Easterseals Adult Day Services, San Pedro; and Team Pyott, featuring Board Member Molly Pyott. The online donation link is available through Monday, November 8, so additional teams have the chance to join the top ranks.
Other notable fundraising teams for this year’s Strides For Disability event included: King Elementary School in Long Beach, whose 85 students comprised a team hosted by Principal Osvaldo Ocampo; the ‘Silver Sneakers’ team, representing Easterseals Senior Day Services in Brea and featuring Cliff, who recently turned 104 years old; the Cerritos Stompers, representing Easterseals Adult Day Services in Cerritos; BPN Super Heroes, representing Easterseals Autism Therapy Services and residents of Easterseals homes around Southern California with their direct support professionals.
Easterseals associates came out in a big way, with approximately 150 proudly attending the event!
Our thanks to the 2021 Strides for Disability sponsors, partners, and in-kind donors, whose generous support was greatly appreciated:
EMPOWERMENT SPONSORS ($10,000): Amway North America, DPR Construction, Medical Specialties Managers (MSM
MARATHON SPONSORS ($5,000): American Career College, Anthem Blue Cross, Mark Bertrand, and West Coast University
DISTANCE SPONSORS ($2,500): American Business Bank, BNBuilders, Fraternal Order of the Police, Mass Mutual Special Care, Packaging Corporation of America
PACE SPONSOR ($1,500): Netsmart
And the corporate partners and in-kind donors who contributed to the day's goody bags: American Career College, Amway North America, Anthem Blue Cross, Aquarium of the Pacific, Banana Boat, CVS Pharmacy, G2G Protein Bars, Norita Jaeger, Pocari Water, South County Photo Club, and West Coast University.
