The 2019 Meyer Foundation for Disabilities’ Owl Ride was a success, hosting more than 800 riders and raising more than $81,000 to support programming for adults with developmental disabilities at the UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute.
But none of that would have been possible without 120 volunteers, approximately 30 from MMI and UNMC.
“MMI and UNMC volunteers are integral to the success of this event,” said Mary McHale, president of the Meyer Foundation.
About 20 members of the MMI Recreational Therapy Department served as volunteers, alongside MMI staffers from other departments. UNMC staff member Peter Pellerito helped organize and was the official starter for the event. And the UNMC Student Alliance for People of All Abilities (SAPAA) had volunteers serving as course marshals and at both the Ak-Sar-Ben and Field Club “perches” — rest areas for the riders.
Other organizations fielding teams of volunteers included Altus Architectural Studios, Ride Right Rangers, the Meyer Foundation board members and Heartland REACT.
“We know the value of volunteers from our own programming,” said Melonie Welsh, MMI director of community engagement, who served as a judge for the event’s “Brightest Bike” competition, “Our volunteers are very important to us at MMI. And the Owl Ride is a great opportunity to give back by volunteering in an event that makes a difference to the population we serve.”
MMI has a culture of volunteerism, with staff members often helping and participating at events such as the Walk & Roll for Disabilities, the WalkRite for RiteCare, Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk, Special Olympics and the Autism FunFest.
At the Owl Ride, MMI recreational therapy volunteers provided adaptive bikes and riding partners for seven people at the ride.
“We are not only excited to ride the streets at night but are excited to showcase all of the wonderful adaptive bikes we have — provided by donations from various philanthropic organizations,” said Nicole Giron, associate director of the recreation therapy department.
Giron said rec therapy uses the adaptive bikes at least 20 times a year throughout the spring and the fall as part of MMI’s Wheel Club – a program supported by the Meyer Foundation and the Owl Ride.
The foundation supports other adult recreational therapy programs at MMI, as well. These programs include a swimming program, a cooking club and groups that support outings to events such as the College World Series. They provide opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to engage in social activities at a time in their lives when they are “aging out” of many of the educational and governmental supports available to them as children.
See a photo album from the 2019 Owl Ride.
It was the second year of volunteer participation in the event for SAPAA, and Vice President Max Lydiatt, who welcomed riders to the Field Club perch, said the mission of the Meyer Foundation is closely tied to the things the UNMC student group wants to accomplish: “raising awareness of people with disabilities and increasing the quality of care for them.
“This is another way for us to get involved in that mission.”
The student group, which was formed in 2018, had approximately 12 volunteers at the event. Its members include students in the College of Medicine and the College of Public Health, although the organization is open to all UNMC students.
On Saturday, the SAPAA volunteers’ mission at the event was to keep riders fueled up and feeling good.
“This is fun,” said Lydiatt, who is a medical student. “It’s a great event.”
Thanks to Lydiatt and the volunteers, McHale emphasized.
“Many of our volunteers have been with us for years,” she said. “And we know that we can count on the MMI and UNMC community to come out and help us make the Owl Ride a success.”