WALK AND ROLL FOR HOPE

WASILLA — On May 3, avid walkers, runners, rollerbladers and those in-between will once again take to the streets to support the Mat-Su Valley’s disabled. It’s time to Walk and Roll for Hope.

The Walk and Roll for Hope is a pledge-based fundraiser restricted to the Mat-Su Valley’s Hope Community Resources program.

Non-state funded needs, such as adult dental, family reunification, emergency medical travel and specialized equipment to residents with disabilities, are supported through funds raised from the walk.

Hope Community Resources is Alaska’s largest nonprofit agency providing vocational and residential services and supports to Alaskans experiencing disabilities. What was once a single-home organization 30 years ago has grown into an agency that spans the state, operating over 60 homes in Anchorage, the Mat-Su Valley, Dillingham, Seward, Kodiak, Juneau and Barrow, according to organizers.

This year, Wasilla Physical Therapy, a co-sponsor of the walk, will hold a picnic style reception luncheon after the walk outside its office in Wasilla.

Tammy Parker, marketing director at Wasilla Physical Therapy, said she hopes people will again jump in with both feet and support the Walk and Roll for Hope.

Eve Bagwell, development associate at Hope Community Resources in Wasilla, said awareness of the needs of the area’s disabled should start by word of mouth, asking that people spread the word that the Walk and Roll for Hope puts out a lending hand.

“The good thing about the walk in the Valley is that all of the funds stay here in the Valley,” Bagwell said. “More times than most, we’re always surprised by the overwhelming support here.”

Funds raised from the Walk and Roll for Hope will go directly to help Hope Community Resources assist more than 60 individuals in the Mat-Su Valley living with disabilities. Bagwell said other state grants and funding helps with some of the immediate costs, but that it isn’t always enough.

“These are people who need extra medical attention, major dental work, home repairs, and reunions with their loved ones,” Bagwell said. “This gets them one step closer to that goal.”

Bagwell said the mix of people who have participated in the Walk and Roll for Hope has been as diverse as the community itself.

“There’s no specific group that comes out and supports the walk over others,” Bagwell said. “It has been families, friends, business members, you name it.”

Geneva Wood Pharmacy, a previous host and a co-sponsor of this year’s walk, has joined forces with Hope Community Resources, as well as the Mat-Su Parent Resource Center in Wasilla, and volunteered staff to make May 3 an all out memorable one.

Bagwell said that so far there are more than 50 volunteers assisting with the day of the walk, taking on registration tasks, clean-up, cheering committees and everything in-between.

“All warm willing bodies are welcome to come help out,” she said.

Hope Community Resources’ Mat-Su Valley branch has been active since 1995. Statewide, the non-profit organization has been organizing the walk for 40 years.

Ginger Jackson, development director at the Anchorage Hope Community Resources, said this is a monumental year for the walk as it celebrates 40 years of service in Alaska.

“We’ve been doing this all by our lonesome for many years,” Jackson said.

Jackson said the main function of Hope is to work with the community to address issues pertaining to the disabled, like transportation, job and housing issues.

“When peoples needs are not being met in the community, we need to know why,” Jackson said.

Jackson said last year, more than 100 participants helped bring in a record breaking $6,700 was raised in the Mat-Su Valley from the Walk and Roll for Hope. Although the numbers were nice, Jackson said the Mat-Su walk has yo-yoed in contributions over time, forcing organizers to look at why.

“What we started noticing in 2005 was that we were starting to lose participation,” Jackson noted. “We could blame it on the weather, but it was coming to the point where we had to look at the fact that the walk was not just a fundraiser, but a historical event for our community. It was a major trendsetter for an area that needed a boost.”

Jackson said that in the Mat-Su Valley, there became more and more events coming to the forefront, making it more difficult to raise sufficient funds for Hope Community Resources.

“Last year I was approached by Geneva Woods who said ‘let us help you out.’” she said. “They sponsored a picnic with Wasilla Physical Therapy which went very well. So now we’re back to being a success.

It’s really about awareness matched with fundraising efforts that make this possible.”

Jackson said disabled persons looking to become eligible to receive funding from Hope Community Resources have to meet certain criteria.

“Hope is instant on meeting those persons needs,” Jackson said. “There are no menus to chose from. We help differentiate what they need and what they want, creating those services around them.”

Parker said Wasilla Physical Therapy, Valley owned and operated for 19 years, is proud and excited to be able to sponsor the after-walk picnic this year.

The after party begins at 11 a.m. and runs until 2 p.m., with music from Just Playin’ Jazz and Joseph Hartman from Mat-Su Music.

“We’ll be tagging the cookout to the walk itself, continuing to promote disability awareness in the Valley,” Parker said.

Wasilla Physical Therapy is accepting door prizes donations for all ages, giving away a grand prize Fun in the Sun travel package at the picnic. The indoor and outdoor event will be handicapped accessible to wheelchairs, is open to anyone, and will be held rain, snow or shine.

Check-in and registration deadline for the Walk and Roll for Hope is at 9:30 a.m. on May 3 with the walk beginning at 10 a.m.

Participants will start at Wasilla Physical Therapy, located at 3750 E. Country Field Circle at Meridian Medical Park off the Seward-Meridian Highway, following the route where it will loop east onto the Palmer-Wasilla Highway, and then back. In total, the walk is three miles.

Hope organizers are asking for a $25 donation to participate in the walk. A $50 donation includes an official 2008 Walk and Roll for Hope T-shirt.

Pledge forms can be picked up at all Carrs locations, Wasilla Physical Therapy, the Hope Community Resource office in Wasilla, and online at Hopealaska.org.

Interested volunteers should call Tammy at 376-7334.