The public is invited to participate in the 16th annual Meyer Foundation Walk and Roll for Disabilities on March 1 at 10:30 a.m. at the Oak View Mall in Omaha.
The fun event is a fundraising drive for the Meyer Foundation for Disabilities, which supports recreation therapy programs for adults with developmental disabilities at the Munroe-Meyer Institute (MMI) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
This year, entertainment will include the 501st Garrison (a.k.a. Star Wars stormtroopers and characters), face painting by Dearheart the Clown and her friends, a photo booth and visits from ROTC units and the drum team from Burke High School.
Mary McHale, president of the foundation said events like this are important because opportunities for recreational activities decrease markedly after a person with a disability leaves the educational system at the age of 21.
“The Walk and Roll raises funds to help ensure that programs such as MMI's Thursday night recreation program serves as many adults as possible," McHale said. "Funds also support other recreational activities.
"It's nice to see families and friends come out in support of their loved one," she said. "The important thing to remember is that we're all the same at the end of the day — all sizes, all abilities, all backgrounds — because we all want the same opportunities to socialize and enjoy ourselves. For people with disabilities, we just need a way to make sure that happens.”
Volunteers for the event include students from UNMC, the College of Saint Mary, and Creighton University.
Sponsors for this year's event include the UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute, Thrasher, Paula Graybill, Family Fare and Ideal Pure Water.
Registration for the event is $30 with a regular T-shirt or $35 for a long-sleeved T-shirt. To be guaranteed a shirt, registrations must be made by Feb. 9. Registrations also will be taken at the event for $35, however no T-shirt will be provided. Register and sign up your team online at
https://meyerfoundation.ezeventsolutions.com/MFWalkAndRoll.
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Meyer Foundation Walk and Roll for Disabilities to be held on March 1
