Families Walk To Support Abilitas Foundation Saturday

MSA Society’s Family Support Group organizes “Walkathon for Abilitas” to raise funds for the operation of barrier-free respite lodge for BC kids, adults and families living with disabilities.

Submitted. On September 20, supporters of accessible respite for families living with disabilities will gather in Mill Lake Park to participate in the annual “Walkathon for Abilitas”. The event raises funds and awareness for the Cold Water Ranch Respite Lodge: BC’s first accessible respite lodge for children, adults, and families living with disabilities. Cold Water Ranch has been in operation since October 2013 providing opportunities for families to rest, recharge and re-connect.

Check-in and Registration for the Walkathon is from 10AM to 11AM on Saturday, September 20 at the Bevan Avenue entrance to Mill Lake Park in Abbotsford. The Walkathon will run until 2PM. Participants can walk up to 10 kilometres to support the respite lodge. Water will be available and refreshments and hot dogs will be served at the finish line. All event proceeds benefit the second phase of construction.

Volunteer Elling Dahlen is excited to support the Cold Water Ranch Lodge initiative and encourages others to join him: “[it’s an] amazing project: the Lodge is extraordinary, the scenery breathtaking, [it’s] all to benefit our friends and loved ones’ living with various disabilities… What else to say: get on board!” Abilitas Foundation Board Member Arlene Schouten adds: “this is a great way to be active and support folks living with disabilities in our community: every step you take brings the Cold Water Ranch Respite Lodge one step closer to opening its doors.”

Having access to this facility is what drives these dedicated volunteers. Families quite literally cannot wait to use the respite facility. Since the Cold Water Ranch Lodge opened, it has hosted 55 different families and has received 88 applications. “The response has been tremendous,” noted John Glazema, Chair of the Abilitas’ Board of Directors. “The current lack of accessible respite options and high cost prevent families from getting the down time they need to simply sustain themselves: to rest, recharge, and reconnect.”

Anyone interested in participating in the walkathon should find the Abilitas Foundation on Facebook or visit the organization’s website at www.abilitasfoundation.org for additional event details and pledge forms. There is no fee to participate in the Walkathon. Pledges are encouraged. Everyone is welcome.

The Abilitas Foundation is a registered charity that works to provide a comfortable and welcoming barrier-free place of respite – the Cold Water Ranch Respite Lodge – for BC kids, adults, and families living with disabilities. At no charge to the guests, the lodge aims to strengthen these families and their communities, foster accessibility, and promote physical health and emotional well-being.