Virtual Walk & Roll hits its fundraising goal

It was a virtual triumph.

The 2021 Walk, Roll & Zoom for Disabilities, the Meyers Foundation for Disabilities’ virtual edition of its popular annual fundraiser, was a success by every metric, said Meyer Foundation President Mary McHale.

The event, held via Zoom due to COVID-19 safety measures, hit its fundraising goal of $25,000 due to participants, corporate sponsors and October’s Denim for Disabilities fundraiser on the UNMC Omaha campus.

The Zoomcast featured videos from popular Walk & Roll participants such as the 501st Legion (“Star Wars” cosplayers), face painting by Ima Clown, the Bellevue East JROTC, the Munroe-Meyer Institute Recreational Therapy Department and others.

More than 150 people and families zoomed in during the course of the event, held Sunday, March 7. There were more than 200 registered participants, and although there was no organized “walk and roll,” many families and teams posted photos of themselves wearing this year’s bright yellow shirt on the Meyer Foundation Facebook page.

“It was definitely different from last year, but our loyal friends, families, sponsors and nonprofits helped make it a success,” McHale said. “These funds will go to support recreational therapy activities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities at the Munroe-Meyer Institute. Programming for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities is the Meyer Foundation’s focus, so this is an important fundraiser for us. I was glad to see so many people turn out to support us.”