The opening notes of Kool and The Gang’s “Celebration” echoed through the top floor of Oak View Mall.
And the crowd of more than 400, gathered to cruise around the top floor of the mall the morning of March 3, had much to celebrate.
Like the Walk & Roll for Disabilities marking its 20th year.
And a shared camaraderie and time to reconnect with old friends.
But top of the list is the funds raised to support adult recreation programming at the Munroe-Meyer Institute. The event, organized by the Meyer Foundation for Disabilities, helps to fund such programming at MMI, including cooking club, yoga club and other recreational programs.
“It’s a celebration of everyone coming together,” said Nicole Giron, director of MMI’s Department of Recreation Therapy. “Our community partners come in and it’s truly a group effort to provide these important life enrichment activities.”
This year’s event brought in more than $42,000, said Mary McHale, board president of the Meyer Foundation for Disabilities. The Walk & Roll has nearly doubled its number of participants and this year was on track to be the largest fundraising year in its 20-year history.
Seeing that growth — in the event and in the programming it supports — is gratifying, McHale said.
When individuals with disabilities age out of the educational system at 21, there are fewer recreational activities available to them.
MMI’s programs “meet our adult children where they are,” McHale said. “They’re able to do fun things that you and I would have access to on a regular basis. (At MMI) they get to do everything their typical peers do.”
Attendees were clad in bright tie-dye T-shirts, which was a nod to the colorful shirts worn over the last 20 years at the Walk & Roll.
Before the event, participants milled around the mall’s food court where they shared hugs and snapped selfies. Vendor booths set up around the corridor and clowns set up shop for face painting.
MMI Director Karoly Mirnics, MD, PhD, kicked things off with a message about tradition. “I love to see the passion, and I love to hear the message you are sending to everyone,” he said.
Honorary advocates Chris Welshinger, Maddie Carlin and the Marley White family were recognized ahead of the walk.
Walkers and rollers took two laps around the mall, led by the Bellevue East Junior ROTC Color Guard. Members of the 501st Legion sprinkled in among participants.
McHale said she’s amazed with the event’s growth and success. She credits the work of volunteers, committee members and community partners.
“The future is to raise more money and have more programming,” McHale said. “You and I have four or five choices on any given night to do things. Because of limited funds, those choices aren’t available for our friends with disabilities.”