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Serving as captains for the fourth annual Walk and Roll were, from left, KETV Channel 7’s Mike’l Severe with his son, Miles, his wife Kris Severe of the UNMC ob/gyn department, program participant Justin Essi and his mom, Barb, and former Nebraska Cornhusker quarterback and 2001 Heisman Trophy winner, Eric Crouch. |
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A record 468 walkers and rollers participated in the event to benefit the C. Louis Meyer Foundation and adult recreation therapy, including six members from the UNMC College of Nursing Leadership Academy. |
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Face paintings, such as those sported by these two young walk and rollers, were once again a common sight during the Walk and Roll event. |
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No Frills Supermarkets donated more than $10,000 to the cause for the second straight year. Shown here with the check are the MMI Director of Recreational Therapy Michael Crawford, Re.D., and Rich Craig, a member of the parent advisory board at MMI. |
Sponsored by the C. Louis Meyer Foundation, No Frills Supermarkets, KGOR and Crouch Recreational Design, the event raised more than $20,000 for the Adult Recreation Therapy program at UNMC’s Munroe-Meyer Institute for the second straight year.
“Every year this event has grown as more and more people turn out,” said Michael Crawford, Re.D., director of recreation therapy at MMI. “This year a record 468 walkers and rollers gave up part of their weekend to help raise awareness for our friends and loved ones with developmental disabilities.
“It’s very gratifying to see so many support us.”
Honorary team captain Eric Crouch, former Nebraska football great and 2001 Heisman Trophy winner, echoed Crawford’s sentiments.
“Every year a lot of the same people are here,” he said. “You get to know those people and you feel like part of the family.”
Also serving as captains were KETV Channel 7’s Mike’l Severe and Justin Essi, a program participant at MMI.
Essi, who has cerebral palsy, has been attending camp at MMI for the past 12 years and is involved in the bike club and teen night at MMI. Now that he has turned 18, he will be eligible to participate in the dining club, community outings and other activities geared toward adults with disabilities.
His mother, Barb, who also is a member of the parent advisory committee, called the adult programs “heaven sent.”
“Ten years ago, even five years ago, there was no such thing as adult programs. Once children got to a certain age, they then had nothing to do,” Barb said.
“With this program, (adults with disabilities) can go out to restaurants once a month as a group, to movies, hockey games, football games and just an enormous amount of different activities that would not be possible without MMI.”
Through the MMI Recreational Therapy Department, adults with disabilities have opportunities for both community and center-based recreation in a safe, supervised setting. In addition, the programs also allow for much-needed respite for families and caregivers of those with developmental disabilities.
The funds raised from the Walk and Roll will go toward The C. Louis Meyer Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that is a major supporter and source of funds for adult recreational therapy, adult respite care and rehabilitation programs at MMI, as the programs receive no state or federal funding.
The ultimate objective is to establish a $1 million sustaining endowment for chaperoned vacation services, social dining, community activities and sports clubs with the hope of sponsoring new programs in the future.
No Frills helped the cause significantly by sponsoring a “Round It Up” campaign for the second year in a row and contributing more than $10,000 in support.
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