Steady Strides 2021, presented by Supernus Pharmaceuticals is back at The Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason on October 2. Our race has become a symbol of the vibrancy of our region’s Parkinson community. Steady Strides has become an annual celebration of our community’s will and capability to do our best at living well with this difficult disease. Steady Strides is our annual celebration of our Parkinson community, our collective accomplishments and our mission to serve each other.
It is so much more than a just 5K fundraiser. The food, the music, the fun, the sense of family & esprit de corps makes this event special. Whether you are a runner, a walker, a volunteer or a fan, you will leave with a smile on your face and a sense of what we can accomplish together.
Steady Strides is, importantly, the single largest fund raising effort that Parkinson Support & Wellness engages in every year. The race has historically raised over 50% of our operating funds. Last year we were forced to adapt to the world in a pandemic and run a virtual race. We lost the opportunity to gather in person to celebrate our Parkinson community. We also raised about half our usual funds.
This year we find ourselves still dealing with the pandemic, but we are eager to meet once again in person. For those who are not comfortable meeting outside with a large group, we understand. That’s why we have created an option to once again participate virtually. And the ability to change your option right up to race day.
As I write this note, registrations for this year’s race are lagging by almost 50% over the pace we set in 2019. We have fewer teams registered and monies raised is lagging at about the same pace. We understand that these are challenging times, but we need your help. Please consider registering for the race, as an in-person or virtual participant. You can register or donate online here, or download a registration form here to mail in to our office.
The need for the services provided to our Parkinson community have not lessened in the past year and half. If anything, we found the needs were greater and we have expanded services and added features to our website. We continue to provide financial grants to physical therapy/exercise providers to expand their services and to help keep the costs to our constituents as low as possible. We have added a social worker to our staff and brought onboard an Assistant Executive Director. So our need to raise funds continues unabated.
Nearly all of the fun parts of our day will be back with the exception of the Li’l Striders race. In consultation with health officials and our medical liaison, we will have to wait until next year in order to keep the Little Striders safe. Check out our Basket Raffle and purchase raffle tickets here.
We are working to assure a safe and successful day and encourage all to wear masks regardless of vaccination status whenever you find you cannot practice safe social distancing. We will run staggered starts to thin out the crowds.
Please get registered today as a race participant. If you have led a team in the past, please consider doing so again this year. We look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday, October 2nd. Gates open at 7:30AM and the race will kick off with staggered starts at 9am. Please share our Facebook Event page and encourage your friends and family to join in. Thanks for your continued support.