For Immediate Release
A Home Run for Disability Pride!
Easterseals Southern California to Host 24th Annual Strides for Disability Walk/Run at Angel Stadium, Oct. 19th
ANAHEIM, CA, October 4, 2024
Media Contact:
Vicki Greenleaf
vicki@greenleafandassociates.com
323-573-5111
Easterseals Southern California (ESSC) will hold Strides for Disability, ESSC’s 24th annual disability pride walk/run, Saturday, Oct. 19, at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. Last year’s event exceeded its $100,000 fundraising goal and ESSC hopes to reach a new goal of $160,000 with support from the community!
The event’s move to Angel Stadium reflects the expansion of a six-year partnership between ESSC and the Los Angeles Angels. Through the partnership, ESSC and the Angels have hosted events during Disability Pride Month in July and created a sensory friendly room at Angel Stadium for neurodivergent fans, which was developed under advisement by the SoCal nonprofit.
A new partnership with the Anaheim Ducks, making ESSC the Ducks official Disability Inclusion Partner, will also be announced at the Halloween-themed disability pride walk/run. The new alliance will include a variety of initiatives to promote inclusion and making ESSC the presenting sponsor of the Ducks sled hockey team, which is comprised of athletes with disabilities.
Commented Nancy Weintraub, Chief Advancement Officer for ESSC, “The Los Angeles Angels have been long-time supporters of Easterseals Southern California, and we are so excited to have the opportunity to hold our annual disability pride walk/run on its’ famed field. We are also happy at this year’s event to announce a new sponsor partnership with the Anaheim Ducks and look forward to working with the team to further advance awareness of disability pride and inclusion.”
Participants are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes and festivities will be highlighted with a warm-up performance by the internationally acclaimed dance team, the Rollettes, whose mission is Empowering Women With Disabilities to Live Boundlessly and Shift Perspectives Through Dance and Content Creation.
An expo will feature more than 25 booths with family friendly activities such as decorating a mini pumpkin, face painting, a balloon artist and free breakfast burritos (while supplies last). Angels Strike Force will be handing out giveaways and the Anaheim Ducks Wild Wing mascot and street team will be present to cheer participants on. Registered participants will receive a t-shirt, draw-string bag and finishing medal.
The Strides for Disability pride walk/run 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’re empowering people with disabilities, families and communities to be full and equal participants in society.
According to the CDC, 25% of U.S. residents, more than 70 million people across the country, have a disability. Of those, 23% live in California (more than 9 million), nearly 5.5 million of them in SoCal. ESSC assists more than 19,000 people with disabilities in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Imperial, Kern, San Bernardino, Riverside and Ventura counties. All proceeds from the walk/run directly benefit ESSC programs, including autism therapy services, adult day services, child development services, living options and employment services.
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 19,000 year— from early childhood programs for the critical first five years, to autism services, daily and independent living services for adults, employment programs and more. Our public education, policy and advocacy initiatives positively shape perceptions and address the urgent and with disabilities, families and communities to be full and equal participants of in society.
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