A sea of bright orange t-shirts and smiling faces filled Universal Studios Spartacus Square as people of all ages and abilities came out to support AbilityFirst Stroll & Roll event held this past Saturday, April 12th 2014 at the Universal Studios Backlot. More than 1,700 in attendance, including over 25 corporate businesses, families, and AbilityFirst participants walked, strolled and ran viewing movie backdrop sets. A brief `welcome and thank you’ speech from presenting sponsor Comerica Bank Regional President, Mike Dokmanovich led the 1,700 plus participants to the start line.
Special guests and AbilityFirst honorary chair leaders; Jaclyn Smith and Lee Meriwether formed their own teams to benefit the AbilityFirst Claremont Center and Camp Paivika. The Minions were a big hit among the attendees participating in the pre and post event activities. Additional sponsors included Platinum Equity, Quetico, Skechers Foundation, Chubb & Sons, CISCO, Commerce Casino, DIRECTV, Dutch LLC, Everest National Insurance Co., Jordana Cosmetics, Oakmont Senior Living, SC Fuels, American Chung Nam, Amtrail, Bodman, Brentwood Originals, Bridgestone Tires, The Dependable Companies, Discover a Star Foundation, Farmers Insurance, Hanover Insurance Co, Las Encinas Hospital, MobilityWorks, One Beacon Insurance Co., Performance Team, Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP, The Word & Brown Companies.
A matching gift by AS&F Foundation, formerly known as the Forest Lawn Foundation, in the amount of $75,000 will be awarded to AbilityFirst if they reach their goal of $575,000!
“On behalf of all at AbilityFirst, I’d like to thank each and every person that came out to join us at our AbilityFirst Stroll & Roll event this year. We could not have done this without our great sponsors, families, friends and each individual that contributed in supporting us by raising funds. Thank you for your help in continuing our mission in helping children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities realize their full potential,” said Lori Gangemi, President and CEO of AbilityFirst.
About Ability First
AbilityFirst, formerly Crippled Children’s Society of Southern California, provides programs and services to help children and adults with disabilities reach their full potential. Through 25 locations across Southern California, they offer a broad range of employment, recreational and socialization programs as well as accessible residential housing complexes and an accessible camp, Camp Paivika, for both children and adults.
