16th Annual Walk/Run for Abilis Supports Families with Special Needs this Sunday!

Abilis Celebrates 16 Years of its Walk/Run on October 17, 2021 -- Annual Event Supports Abilis and Its Programs for Families with Special Needs

 It’s time for the annual Walk/Run for Abilis event! For the 16th annual year, Walk/run for Abilis will take place on October 17 at Greenwich Point Park. Participants can walk or run in-person or participant virtually from any where in the world! Participants are encouraged to register in advance at abilis.us/walkrun; registration is free for walkers and $40 for adult 5k runners and $20 for runners ages 11-17.

The annual Walk/Run for Abilis is an annual celebration for the Abilis community. Each fall, Abilis’ community members , families and friends gather for Walk/Run for Abilis, and the event is Abilis’ largest annual fundraiser and signature “friend-raising” special of the year. Many who take part in Walk/Run for Abilis do so because they are inspired by a friend or family member with special needs.

“We need Walk/Run for Abilis this year more than any other year,” said Amy Montimurro, CEO and president of Abilis. “After being apart these last 18 months, having the opportunity to safely come together for Walk/Run for Abilis is so energizing! Walk/Run for Abilis provides an opportunity for family, friends, and Abilis program participants to come together for a fun morning of physical fitness, the beauty of being outdoors at Greenwich Point Park (or anywhere!), and raise critical funds for new Abilis initiatives that support the special needs community.”

Every year the Walk/Run for Abilis has a Walk/Run Ambassador. This year’s Walk/Run for Abilis Ambassador is Andre DeNunzio. Andre, age 22, who is part of the Norwalk LEAP transition program for young adults and is currently in the employee training program at Coffee for Good. Andre grew up in Norwalk, Connecticut, and will be moving into one of the new Abilis residences  in Darien when it opens this fall.

With Walk/Run for Abilis back in person this year, Abilis recognizes there may be some who want to participate virtually. All participants are encouraged to wear their Walk/Run for Abilis t-shirts and team outfits and costumes and document their Walk/Run for Abilis photos and videos by posting on social media using the hashtag #WalkRunForAbilis. As in year’s past, both in-person and virtual teams are encouraged to create team t-shirts and costumes to build excitement and camaraderie and to wear in the weeks leading up to October 17 or on their actual walk or run and prizes for most creative outfits will be awarded! Activities include a Bubble Bus for children, a fun warm-up by celebrity fitness expert Billy Blanks Jr., and the 5K run and beautiful walk around Greenwich Point Park.

Sponsors of Walk/Run for Abilis include Holland & Knight, DARCARS Automotive Group - Lexus of Greenwich, Infiniti of Greenwich and Lexus of Mt. Kisco, Alera Group, Connecticut Community Bank, Greenwich Magazine/Moffly Media, Shepard Insurance Group, The First Bank of Greenwich, John Dwyer Builders & General Contractors, Mutual of America Financial Group, J&S Sweet Success, Connecticut Skin Institute, Greenwich Braces, The Halper Family and SEBASS Events. 

Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor of the Walk/Run for Abilis should contact Jennifer Flatow, Director of development, at flatow@abilis.us or (203)531-1880 x161.

For more information, visit www.abilis.us, or facebook.com/Abilisinc, twitter.com/Abilis, or instagram.com/abilis_us.