Summer events take new form for MMI supporters

Always one of the summer's most exciting events, the Meyer Foundation for Disabilities Owl Ride is canceled for 2020.

Always one of the summer's most exciting events, the Meyer Foundation for Disabilities Owl Ride is canceled for 2020.

Summer will look very different this year for supporters of the Munroe-Meyer Institute.

Due to continued concern about large gatherings contributing to the spread of the coronavirus, the Meyer Foundation for Disabilities (MFD) Board of Directors has voted to cancel this year’s Owl Ride. At the same time, the Munroe-Meyer Guild has turned its Garden Walk into a virtual event, and the Scottish Rite has turned its Omaha “WalkRite for RiteCare” event into “DriveRite for RiteCare.”

This would have been the 10th year for the Owl Ride, the unique bike ride that is an important fundraiser for MFD, which supports adult recreational programs at MMI.

“In lieu of riding this year, we encourage you to consider a donation to MFD,” said Mary McHale, president of the foundation. Make a donation to the Meyer Foundation.

The Munroe-Meyer Guild has put together videos allowing each homeowner who was scheduled to be a part of July’s walk to showcase a favorite area of their garden. See the videos and make a donation.

“While at our website, please consider clicking on the ‘Donate’ button to help sponsor some of the the innovative projects being conducted at the Munroe-Meyer Institute,” said Luann Rabe, guild president. “The Garden Walk is a major source of income for the Guild to fund Munroe-Meyer Institute grants. Your donation helps provide grants for research, client services and professional projects at the Munroe-Meyer Institute.”

The Scottish Rite is, as of June 11, still scheduled to hold its WalkRite for RiteCare events on June 27 in Omaha and July 18 in Hastings. The Omaha “walk” will be a drive-through event — DriveRite for RiteCare — with supporters driving through Lake Zorinsky Park instead of walking. The setup for the Hastings event is still undetermined.

The Scottish Rite supports all services at MMI’s RiteCare Clinics for speech-language therapy.