June 1st Shenandoah Disability Awareness Walk Seeks Sponsors, Walkers, & Volunteers

      Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association (SCIA) along with Nishna Productions, Inc. and the Depot Restaurant are organizing the 9^th annual Disability Awareness Walk in Shenandoah June 1^st. This year the route is on Shenandoah’s downtown street scape and around Priest Park.

     Participants are encouraged to register with a signed waiver. Entry forms are available at SCIA, NPI, and the Depot Restaurant. NPI is celebrating 50 years in business this year. Other sponsors for the event are The Fuller Center, El Porton Mexican Grill, and Subway. More sponsors are welcome to contribute. Contact SCIA to contribute monetary donations or in-kind contributions. Items needed are bottled water, hot dogs, buns, chips, cookies, and inexpensive items or gift cards for the door prize drawings.

      The free walk starting at 11 a.m. is for all ages and all abilities and is open to the public. This regional event begins at the Depot Deli 101 Railroad St. Walkers will travel east on Sheridan Avenue downtown street scape to Sycamore St. and head back west on the southside of Sheridan Avenue to Blossom St. heading south behind the Public Library to 5^th Avenue and south again on Elm St. to Priest Park. Gatorade and water will be available at the park. The walkers will travel around the park and head back north on Maple St. to complete the one-mile course back on Sheridan Ave. at the Depot Deli finish.

     The route can accommodate wheelchairs and a golf cart will be available to assist walkers. Volunteers will be needed for walker assistance and to act as crossing guards. Reflective vests will be provided for street crossing guards. Volunteers are also needed to help with set-up and cleanup, pass out beverages at the half-way point and medallions at the finishing line.

     “This is an excellent opportunity for members of the community to interact and engage in a fun way with individuals with disabilities. The hope is to build foundations for friendships,” said NPI Development Specialist Emily Martin.

     The first 50 participants with disabilities to finish the 1-mile walk/ride will receive an event medallion. The after party under the big yellow tent at the Depot will feature a free hot dog lunch, root beer floats donated by the Depot, and music by the band B Side 3. There will be a drawing for door prizes from area businesses.

     B Side 3 band is an acoustic band that plays for the enjoyment of performing live.  They are made of local performers Eric Nelson on guitars, lead, and harmony vocals,

Greg Brower on Keyboards, lead, and harmony; and Phillip Lamb on base guitar and vocals. They also perform many song requests.

     “Everyone from the surrounding area is welcome to participate in this special event,” said SCIA Marketing Director Shelly Warner. “It’s a fun, rewarding afternoon to get outside to enjoy nature, interaction with friends, music, and exercise.”

     All volunteers and sponsors should contact SCIA to sign-up volunteer 712-246-3455, chamber@sciaiowa.com. The registration form can also be viewed at the website www.sciaiowa.com or Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association Facebook page.