More than 400 participants raised about $42,000 Sunday during the 20th annual Meyer Foundation Walk & Roll for Disabilities event at Oak View Mall.
KellyLynn Wakehouse, 32, left, leads Team Kellylynn on a walk and roll around the upper level of Oak View Mall on Sunday. Money raised at the event goes toward adult recreational programming at the Munroe-Meyer Institute.
KENT SIEVERS, UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER
“It’s a celebration of everyone coming together,” said Nicole Giron, director of recreation therapy for the Munroe-Meyer Institute of the University of Nebraska Medical Center “Our community partners come in and it’s truly a group effort to provide these important life enrichment activities.”
The event raises money to support adult recreation programming, including cooking and yoga clubs. It has nearly doubled in size since it first started, said Mary McHale, president of the Meyer Foundation board.
“To see the event grow has been gratifying,” McHale said. “This programming is huge for the 21-and-older community. They get to do the same activities their typical peers do.”
Kim Bainbridge and her son Justin, who attends adult recreation programming, have been participating in the walk for 13 years.
“This is like old home week,” Bainbridge said. “Justin loves it. It’s a happy event, and it shows just how large our community is.”
Recreational therapy, McHale said, is critical for people with disabilities to get out and socialize.
“The beauty of (the institute’s) recreational therapy program is that they meet people where they are,” McHale said. “They can be their authentic self and have fun. It’s a great opportunity for the rec therapy staff to see individuals from rec therapy programs in their natural habitat, with their families.”
Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of February 2024
Papillion-La Vista South's Addison Medeck (40), left, and Bellevue West's Danielle Coyer (55) fight for a loose ball during the first round of the girls state basketball tournament at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Millard North's Brylee Nelsen (33), left, hugs Romey Loveridge (4) in the closing seconds of their loss to Lincoln North Star during the first round of the girls state basketball tournament at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Millard West Assistant Coach Casey Hall talks Omaha Central's Aalaiya Davis (3) after Millard West defeated Omaha Central during the first round of the girls state basketball tournament at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha Central's Pierre Noelle Tcheuhchoua (44) grabes a rebound in between Millard West's Neleigh Gessert (23), left, and Norah Gessert during the first round of the girls state basketball tournament at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Creighton's Lauren Jensen (15) throws a shirt to the crowd during player introductions before taking on Xavier at D. J. Sokol Arena in Omaha on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
An Omaha Central swimmer cheers on her teammate in the first heat of the girls 400 yard freestyle relay in the NSAA state swimming championships at the Devaney Center in Lincoln on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Xavier's Nila Blackford (4), right, guards Creighton's Emma Ronsiek (31) at D. J. Sokol Arena in Omaha on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Creighton's Mallory Brake (14) shoots a free throw against Xavier at D. J. Sokol Arena in Omaha on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Creighton's Kennedy Townsend (2), left, and Xavier's Aanaya Harris (23) fight for a loose ball at D. J. Sokol Arena in Omaha on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha Marian's Lucy Johansen, Easton Glandt and Meredith Peyton celebrate with teammate Alaira Hadford after winning the girls 200 yard freestyle relay in the NSAA state swimming championships at the Devaney Center in Lincoln on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Troy Hingst, left, holds the hand of his wife, Page Hingst, as she talks about her father, Curt Strom at her father's bowling alley, Curt's Lanes in Bloomfield, while posing for a portrait on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. Curt Strom was killed along with William Reffett in the bowling alley on Tuesday.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
People leave flowers outside of at Curt's Lanes in Bloomfield on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. Curt Strom was killed along with William Reffett in the bowling alley on Tuesday.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Page Hingst talks about her father, Curt Strom at her father's bowling alley, Curt's Lanes in Bloomfield, while posing for a portrait on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. Curt Strom was killed along with William Reffett in the bowling alley on Tuesday.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Siblings, Page Hingst, left, and Dustin Chancey think back to their first memories at their father's bowling alley, Curt's Lanes in Bloomfield, while posing for a portrait on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. Curt Strom was killed along with William Reffett in the bowling alley on Tuesday.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Creighton's Trey Alexander (23) celebrates with fans as they storm the court following the UConn vs. Creighton men's college basketball game at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. Creighton won the game 85-66.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
UConn head coach Dan Hurley watches hiss team as Creighton's Steven Ashworth (1) moves with the ball in the UConn vs. Creighton men's college basketball game at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. Creighton won the game 85-66.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska State Poet Matt Mason poses for a portrait in his home in Omaha on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha Bryan's Abdrirahman Unle jumps into the arms of coach Jason Susnja after pinning North Plate's Tyler Haneborg for during the Class A 113-pound championship match at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha Skutt's Kaylyn Harrill, left, wrestles Columbus Lakeview's Lacy Lemburg during the Girls 120-pound championship match at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Millard West's Enrique Haynes celebrates his win over Omaha Creighton Prep's Presden Sanchez in the Class A 120-pound championship match at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Auburn's Ayden Smith, facing, and Bennington's Lane Welchert compete in the first round of the Class B 106-pound match in the state wrestling championships at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Grand Island's Kim Gonzalez, right, and Pierce's Maggie Painter compete in the first round of the girls 120-pound match in the state wrestling championships at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Battle Creek's Ashton Kuchar, facing, and Hi-Line's Parker Schutz compete in the second round of the Class C 126-pound match in the state wrestling championships at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha North's Joshyonna Coppage-Dortch and Chadron's Josey Werner compete in the first round of the girls 100-pound match in the state wrestling championships at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Beatrice's Tristan Reinke, left, wrestles Bennington's Brodee Scobee during the first round of the Class B 132-pound match during the state wrestling championships at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Lincoln North Star's Colton Hauschild celebrates his win over Bellevue East's Dillon Ginter during the first round of the Class A 165-pound match during the state wrestling championships at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Hershey's Ethan Elliott, right, tries to pin North Bend Central's Zac Mullally during the first round of the Class C132 -pound match during the state wrestling championships at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Iowa's Caitlin Clark (22) reacts while answering questions from the media in the post game press conference after the Hawkeyes were defeated by Nebraska, 82-79, at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska's Alexis Markowski (40) embraces her father, Andy, after the Huskers defeated Iowa, 82-79, at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024.
NIKOS FRAZIER THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska players celebrate with fans after defeating Iowa, 82-79, at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024.
NIKOS FRAZIER THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska's Jacob Van Dee celebrates his win over Michigan's Dylan Ragusin during a 133-pound match at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska's Caleb Smith picks up Michigan's Michael DeAugustino during a 125-pound match at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska's Caleb Smith top. wrestles Michigan's Michael DeAugustino during a 125-pound match at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Community members and politicians walk along 24th Street during a Martin Luther King Jr. Keep the Dream Alive March in Omaha on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. The walk was postponed by weather from MLK Day in January.
NIKOS FRAZIER THE WORLD-HERALD
The sun rises over Lake Wanahoo outside Wahoo on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
David Wright, of Bellevue, and his son Michael Wright, of Papillion, ice fish in an insulated shelter on Lake Wanahoo outside Wahoo on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. “You can spend time with your friends, family," David Wright said. "It’s not so much about the fishing."
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Creighton's Steven Ashworth (1) wipes the sweat from his face late in the second half against Butler at CHI Health Center Omaha on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Butler's Augusto Cassiá (0), left, and Finley Bizjack (13) celebrate an upset of Creighton at CHI Health Center Omaha on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Butler's Jahmyl Telfort (11), left, and Andre Screen (23) try to steal the ball from Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) at CHI Health Center Omaha on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Creighton's Steven Ashworth (1) celebrates a three-point basket against Butler at CHI Health Center Omaha on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Butler's Finley Bizjack (13) chases a loose ball in the second half against Creighton at CHI Health Center Omaha on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Creighton's Baylor Scheierman (55), right, helps Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) after they lost to Butler at CHI Health Center Omaha on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Creighton fans react to a Butler basket in the second half at CHI Health Center Omaha on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha's Marquel Sutton (10) gets ready for a shot against St. Thomas at Baxter Arena in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha takes on St. Thomas at Baxter Arena in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha's Marquel Sutton (10) looks to pass the ball around St. Thomas’s Brooks Allen (4) at Baxter Arena in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Looking north on 13th Street from Hickey Street in the Little Bohemia neighborhood toward downtown Omaha.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Doug Harold works at the Tomasek Machine Shop located at 1631 S 13th St.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Doug Harold works at the Tomasek Machine Shop located at 1631 S 13th St.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Wrestlers warm up with jump ropes during practice at Omaha Bryan High School in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. Omaha Bryan will be in the state duals for the first time in program history
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Boing the clown, Byron Simmons, paints clown makeup on Lochlynn Rager, 8, at Clown Camp at the Tangier Shrine Center in Omaha on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD
“This programming is huge for the 21-and-older community. They get to do the same activities their typical peers do.”
Mary McHale, president of the Meyer Foundation board
Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter.