Easterseals Southern California’s 23rd Annual Strides for Disability Walk, Oct. 21
By Judy Shields
Photos: Judy Shields, THT & Easterseals
Long Beach, California (The Hollywood Times) 10/25/2023
What a beautiful and sunny day it was in Long Beach on Saturday morning. There was a great turnout with all ages of runners, walkers, strollers and even four legged friends.
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 — held their 23rd annual Strides for Disability 5k Run & 3k Family Fun walk, this past Saturday, in Long Beach. Last year’s event exceeded our $100,000 fundraising goal…Don’t miss this next year 2024!
The Hollywood Times had the opportunity to speak with actor, comedian and founder of The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, Nic Novicki. We also got video of the Straight Up Abilities dancers and a robot called Hans:
GUESTS: Performing once again was the Long Beach Beauties, a cheerleading squad comprised of people with disabilities. Also on hand for the festivities was 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 was a group from Straight Up Abilities, which provides professional performance art training to students with and without disabilities.
Registered participants receive a t-shirt, draw string bag, and finishing medal. Access to the “Partners Plaza,” featuring games, giveaways, music, photo booth, temporary tattoos, face painting, complimentary snacks, drinks and more.
Once all the registered runners and walkers got their free T-shirt and orange Easterseals backpack. They were able to visit the booths for information and lots of free stuff and even prizes to win. I went to the Angels Baseball booth and they had a wheel to spin and I spun it and it landed on Grand Slam, that was way cool and the girls said I could pick was displayed on the table and there were some cool stuff to choose from, but I am a huge Mike Trout fan that they just happened to have a baseball cap with a Trout head and his autograph stitched on the brim of the hat. I was proud to place it upon my head and especially to protect my eyes from the sun. Thank you Angels for the awesome Trout hat. I was all geared up with my green Strides for Disability T-Shirt, which featured the sponsor on the back of the shirt, and my official number for the 3K walk, sunglasses and trout hat. You are able to see the orange backpack the woman is wearing standing next to me which came in handy for water and sunscreen, plus all the free information brochures from the many booths.
Before the runners got ready to take off we all were treated to a performance of the Straight Up Abilities dancers as well as the Long Beach Beauties and the Beast.
At the the starting line there was a few tables that had bananas and granola bars that were provided by Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions and bottled water donated by Pepsico. It was great to have a banana before the walk and the bar during the walk as well as the water. There was also a few water stations were volunteers handed out cups of water.
Easterseals was also presented with a Proclamation from The City of Long Beach – October 21, 2023 as Easterseals Disability Services Day in the City of Long Beach.
Easterseals was also presented with two checks, one from ACCLARA in the amount of $10,000 and the other one from CVS Health in the amount of $5,372.75.
It was a great day to walk around the water there in Long Beach and we had a great view of The Queen Mary. My sister-in-law Lynne was able to join me for the walk and festivities. Nothing like family!
It was great to see the Finish line! There were volunteers waiting for us all to had us a medal and we proudly put it around our neck.
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.
SPONSORS: AAA, Acclara, Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions, 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, United Healthcare and 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, LATHER, Long Beach Beauties, Norky the Peneagle, Orange County Ghost Busters, Panacea Holistic Institute, Pepsi, 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
Join the Conversation …
Like us: www.facebook.com/EasterSealsSoCal
Follow us: www.twitter.com/EasterSealSoCal
