The local chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is looking for people to walk, “scoot,” or roll for a good cause at its second annual 5K Central Coast Muscle Walk on Jan. 28 at Waller Park in Santa Maria.
MDA officials expect more than 300 walkers and people using wheelchairs and scooters to participate in the walk, which is being sponsored by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. Event organizers expected to raise more than $10,000 to help the MDA serve area residents with muscular dystrophy, Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), and related muscle diseases.
“We’re walking to help MDA fund worldwide research and to provide unparalleled health care services to people with muscle diseases,” Parvaneh Givi, executive director of MDA Santa Barbara, said in an e-mail to the Sun. “Together, we’ll take a victory lap at the Lakeview Terrace at Waller Park to help local families for whom MDA is a singular beacon of help and hope!”
Muscle Walk participants and Muscle Walk teams can register for the event online at musclewalkmda.org/centralcoast2012, or by contacting the local MDA office at 560-7651. People can also register the day of the event, Jan. 28, if they arrive at least 30 minutes before the walk starts at 11 a.m. Awards and other goodies will be passed out after the walk, and there will also be some free entertainment.
Individual walkers are encouraged to raise at least $100 in donations, and those who reach that goal will receive a Muscle Walk T-Shirt. People are also encouraged to form walking teams to increase fundraising potential and social enjoyment.
For more information, visit musclewalkmda.org/centralcoast2012 or e-mail Genevieve McGreevy at gmcgreevy@mdausa.org.
Managing Editor Amy Asman compiled this week’s Community Corner. Send comments or ideas to the Sun via e-mail at intern@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jan 5-12, 2012.