PHOTOS COURTESY OF BAY-CSS
Hollywood, MD – No one has to sit on the sidelines Saturday, April 22. Instead of watching others have all the fun, have some fun yourself at the Fifth annual Bay-CSS Walk, Run and Roll. The unique event is a presentation of Bay Community Support Services (Bay-CSS), a regional organization providing services and opportunities for people with disabilities. According to Bay-CSS communications manager Brandy Blackstone, the Walk, Run and Roll is a “fun family event” that provides an opportunity for wide participation. The five “courses” of the event are a 10 kilometer (K) running event, a 10K walking event, a 5K race for runners, a 5K event for walkers and the “roll course,” which is approved for those in wheelchairs, pushing strollers, roller-skaters and dog owners participating with their pets on a leash.
Blackstone told TheBayNet.com that when the event started it was held at Historic St. Mary’s City. “We wanted to something in Southern Maryland,” she stated. Bay-CSS holds a fund-raising golf tournament every year in Southern Anne Arundel County and the Walk, Run and Roll was envisioned as an ideal spinoff, given the popularity of 10K and 5K events.
“We wanted to do something different so that people with disabilities could participate,” said Blackstone. “That’s part of our mission.” Since the Bay-CSS offices are now located at Greenwell State Park, “it made sense to transfer it there.”
The 2016 event was the first-ever at Greenwell State Park and Blackstone said “it went very well. We had an incredible turnout with well over 100 people. A lot of children were there.”
The entry fee for Walk, Run and Roll is $20 in advance (before April 5). Those who register in advance get a free event T-shirt. The registration fee is $25 per person after April 5. Other perks for registered participants include the event breakfast, which is held prior to the race. Panera and IHOP will be providing the free breakfast. All participants are eligible for gift drawings.
Cash prizes are awarded to the males and females who finish first in both the 10K and 5K. There are also prizes for the largest team and the team that raises the most money.
Blackstone said the Walk, Run and Roll has raised an average of $10,000 to $15,000, with the goal this year to raise $20,000. All money raised from the event goes toward funding programs and services Bay-CSS provides. “The direct services that our agency provides are designed to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live and work successfully in their communities,” Blackstone stated. “The values of inclusion, choice and self-determination are emphasized. Bay-CSS provides residential services in agency group homes and privately-owned homes, along with personal supports, individual/family support services, supported employment and two day habilitation activity centers and transportation services is provided in all of these programs. Our services are customized to the individual’s personal needs.”
The organization is licensed through the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration.
Registration Saturday, April 22 begins at 8 a.m. with the Walk, Run and Roll starting at 9 a.m. Blackstone said the event usually runs until noon and there is a good amount of parking at the venue. Bay-CSS is always looking for volunteers to help with the event—monitoring the races and cleaning up afterwards—plus, “we are still looking for participants, sponsors and donors.” Members of the Bay-CSS board and other members of the community also pitch in and help. “It’s definitely a team effort,” said Blackstone.
Major sponsors for the 2017 Walk, Run and Roll are Southern Maryland Women Magazine, McConkey Insurance Agency, Puzon Associates, Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative and Dan Nardo/Annapolis Yacht Sales.
Bay-CSS’ Fifth annual Walk, Run and Roll will take place Saturday, April 22 rain or shine. Chesapeake Bay Running Club will be timing the event. Greenwell State Park is located at 25410 Rosedale Manor Lane, Hollywood. For more information visit www.baycss.org/walk.html
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
