by Christopher Zurcher, for CDR

The Center for Disability Rights 2010 Wheel-A-Thon to Benefit Young People with Disabilities is a fundraising and community awareness campaign to benefit the youth programs and activities of the CDR and its partners. It takes place from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sun., Sept. 19, at the Savin Rock Conference Center, 6 Rock St., West Haven.

All money raised goes to support:

  • College scholarships for students with disabilities;
  • Advocacy with students to improve their education;
  • Communication access services for youth with hearing loss involved in peer support programs;
  • Facilitation services for youth groups; and
  • CDR youth transition services.

The top fundraising team last year raised $2,600. The minimum team registration is $200 and the minimum individual registration fee is $25. There are various levels of sponsorship outlined on the website at www.wheel-a-thon.org.

“The Wheel-A-Thon is the only source of funding for the Center for Disability Rights programs for young people with disabilities,” according to CDR Executive Director Marc Anthony Gallucci.

In addition to challenging members of the community to navigate around obstacles and barriers faced by over 240,000 Connecticut people with disabilities every day, the Wheel-A-Thon is a fun, important and eye-opening event for able-bodied people and people in wheelchairs.

Participants navigate their way through an easy course past Savin Rock on West Haven Beach, across Ocean Avenue, and back to the Savin Rock Conference Center, which takes about 45 minutes.

Participants receive a t-shirt and other items donated by sponsors and local businesses. Participants and sponsors also receive recognition in various media, an increased awareness of the difficulties faced every day by wheelchair-bound individuals in our community, and an overall feeling of having done something good for the community.

An awards luncheon after the event recognizes key individuals, sponsors, and top fundraising teams.

Founded in 1988, CDR promotes empowerment and self-reliance for people with disabilities in Connecticut.

For more information about participating, becoming a sponsor or to download a brochure, visit www.wheel-a-thon.org.  For more information about the Center for Disability Rights, visit www.centerfordisabilityrights-ct.org, or call (203) 934-7077.