Ready & Abled

Greetings Southern Connecticut readers,

Well, my first anticipated blog posting was a wash — quite literally. The third annual Walk in the Park for Abilis was cancelled due to the severe rainstorm. This planned, one-mile stroll through Greenwich Point Park (Tod’s Point) is the organization’s largest fundraiser each year, which goes to benefit children and adults in the Greenwich-Stamford area with developmental disabilities.

I was having my morning coffee when I got the e-mail notice that the Sunday walk had been cancelled. I wasn’t that surprised. The night before, Abilis’ executive director Lolli Ross had e-mailed all registered walkers to let them know the walk had been altered to a “intimate gathering under the shelter of the clambake area.” The traditional route along Greenwich Point was too flooded and muddy for walking. There would still be snacks and crafts, but no kids’ activities tent, which was to include New York Rangers shot clinics and other hockey-themed activities.

I could sense the sadness in Lolli’s note. Abilis had hoped to raise $100,000 to provide services to the community. “We’d hate to cancel for a few reasons … the sight of everyone together — from our adorable toddlers to our army of high-school volunteers, our devoted families and the many adults served by Abilis every single day is powerful and inspires us throughout the year.”

Of course, Sunday’s weather proved worse than expected. There was no rain date in place. But there is a silver lining — Abilis will hold an open house at its headquarters on Sunday, November 8. They are inviting everyone in the area to stop by and “participate in fun children’s activities, see the beautiful and unusual gifts and products made by the wonderful people we serve and, of course, pick up this year’s Walk T-shirt!” The time is still to be determined, but you can check back at Abilis’ website.