MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – The Krewe of Kindness, a local nonprofit organization, will host the 2nd Annual 2-Mile Race, Boo Krewe, at the Mobile County Salt Air Reservation on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. 2 will be held. Located next to Island Fire Art Gallery in the Foul River Community. This event attracts racers of all abilities. Wheelchair racing is growing in popularity across the country and Krewe of Kindness is working to help athletes participate in local community races. Our motto is “We all start on the same line and end on the same line, we just arrive at our destination in different ways, but this is true for all of us before, during and after joining. It’s the only sport you can participate in with your friends.” Food, drinks, music and other activities ensure a fun night for all ages. This year’s event will feature the Adaptive Recreation EXPO. Vendors will be on hand from 3 p.m. for people to learn more about their services, equipment and programs. From the new AMBUCS chapter of Krewe of Kindness, you can try out the adaptive bike. Students from the U.S. Department of Therapeutic Recreation will also be participating.
The ultimate mission behind Krewe of Kindness is to promote education and awareness within the community of the needs of people with mobility disabilities when it comes to recreational accessibility and other inclusive projects. We provide support to encourage the importance of extra kindness and donations to partner organizations that we believe are essential to the healing, success, and well-being of people with disabilities.
“The idea behind Krewe of Kindness began after the birth of our daughter Delaney, who was born with severe spina bifida,” said founder Jenni Zimrick. “We want to find ways we can provide opportunities for others to participate in the family activities we all enjoy on the coast, such as a day at the beach, running a local race, or kayaking. We realized that not everyone has the resources to make that happen, and we wanted to help make that change.”
With the help of close family and friends, Zimrich founded the volunteer-based organization in 2018 and had a successful first year, raising more than $10,000 to further support its mission. This included the purchase of a 100-foot-long handicap-accessible mat that was installed at the facility. Dauphin Island West End Beach in summer 2019. Since its first year, KOK has partnered with the Mobile National Estuary Program to donate an additional 80 feet of matting to the Town of Dauphin Island.
All funds raised will go toward several important projects, including improving local access to regional recreation. The group works with volunteers to sew Krewe Cases and Beads of Courage bags to benefit children at USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital. Krewe of Kindness also provides funding for athletes with disabilities to participate in activities such as wheelchair racing, hand cycling, and adaptive water skiing, and funds the Sea Stars program, a special needs science camp, through the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. We offer assistance. We also worked with Bellingrath Gardens and Home to sponsor a special egg hunt section for children with special needs at their annual lawn egg hunt.
We will also be donating the first bike, fitted by a local physical therapist, to a child on October 18, 2023 at 4pm. (Fitting for hospital media was held on Friday, October 13, 2023) Dr. McDonald, an orthopedic surgeon in the United States, actually assembled a bicycle for a child. Krewe of Kindness (KOK) AMBUCS Board of Directors includes Dr. MacDonald, Dr. Edris McMullan, American Health Children and Women’s Pediatric Anesthesiologist, Physical Therapist Patti Fassbender, and KOK Director Jenny Zimrick .
We hope to secure corporate sponsorship within the next year and be able to donate at least 10 bikes by 2024. Bicycles average between $800 and $1,000 each. For more information on sponsoring children’s bikes, businesses can contact hello@kreweofkindness.com.
Krewe of Kindness is a nonprofit 501c (3) organization, EIN 83-0929967. Donations are tax-exempt to the fullest extent of the law. We are a volunteer-based organization.
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