Special Olympics Virginia’s 11th Annual City of Richmond Walk-A-Thon will be held at Virginia Union University Campus, (Henderson building) from 9:00 a.m. until 12: 30 p.m. on Saturday, October 1, 2011. The 1, 2, and 3 mile walk/run will raise money for the Special Olympics Virginia Urban Programs, which benefits over 5000 City of Richmond adults and children with intellectual disabilities.
The event is being presented by Virginia Union University. Over 500 volunteers, athletes, fraternities, sororities, and sponsors are expected to come out and support this event! American Family Fitness Centers will be awarding a free membership to the participant who raises the most money. Other agencies and organizations who will be participating are Richmond Parks & Recreation, Richmond Residential Services, Richmond Behavioral Health Authority, Richmond Goodwill, Richmond Police Department, Midlothian Chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc., Senior Connections-The Capital Area on Aging, The Huff Center, Career Support Systems, The Young Men’s Love and Union Club, Diamondz Are Forever SC, Thompson Hospitality, Virginia Girls Scout Troops, Bank of America, Scott & Stringfellow Inc., NHS Human Services, The Virginia Home, Fidura & Associates, and Tiffanies Manor for Young Adults. Special Olympics Virginia hopes to raise over $5,000.00 for its City of Richmond athletes. There will be a live performance by The Band Belief! Music, fun, and prizes for all participants.
Special Olympics Virginia, the state chapter of Special Olympics Inc., provides year-round training in 19 sports and more than 2000 athletic competitions to over 14,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities in the Commonwealth. The benefits of participation in Special Olympics for people with intellectual disabilities include improved physical fitness and motor skills, greater self-confidence, a more positive self-image, friendships, and increased family support. Special Olympics athletes carry these benefits with them into their daily lives at home, in the classroom, on the job, as well as in the community. Special Olympics Virginia has provided competitions to the citizens of Virginia with intellectual disabilities since 1968 and was incorporated by Special Olympics Inc. in 1975. There is no cost to the athlete or their family to participate.
For more information or to register, please contact Floyd E. Miller, Director of Urban Programs at 804-467-6012.
