Walk-n-Roll for Allie’s Independence (Batavia)

Remember the Spaghetti Dinner for Allie's New Wheels? Well, here are the details for another event that needs our support:

Mothers of Multiples Organize “Walk-n-Roll” to Buy 10-year old a Motorized Wheelchair

Tri-Cities Mothers of Twins and Triplets Club are sponsoring a 5k “Walk–n-Roll” in an effort to buy a Batavia 5th grader a motorized wheel chair. The walk will start and finish at the Peg Bond Center on the Batavia Riverwalk on Sunday, April 19. Proceeds from the walk will go to Allie Gagnon, a delightful Batavia 5th grader at HC Storm Elementary School who was born with cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair she is quickly outgrowing.

Participants in the walk are encouraged to pre-register on the website www.alliegagnon.org, but same day registrations will begin at 8am. The 5K (3.1 mile walk/roll) will begin at 9am and will follow the Fox River Trail into Geneva and loop back into Batavia. Live entertainment, moon bounce, face painting, prizes and activities following the walk will begin at 10:30am.

“We hope this will be a fun way for people of any physical ability and fitness level to Spread Sunshine for Allie,” said Kate Walker, one of the event’s organizers. “Families can walk, push strollers, or ride wheelchairs around scenic Batavia.”

Participant fees are $20 per adult and $10 per child, but everyone is encouraged to raise additional contributions for the cause. The website allows people to form teams and track pledges. Corporate sponsorships are also available.

ABOUT ALLIE - Ten-year-old Allie Gagnon dreams of independence. Instead, she relies on family, aides, and other students for mobility throughout her day. To experience this independence, experts recommend that Allie move to a motorized wheelchair to assist her in moving from class to class.

This chair will also allow her to achieve a standing position, which would be helpful for a variety of academic activities as well as promote circulation in her legs. Additionally, the motorized chair will help prevent muscle and bone deformities by allowing her to change position frequently.

The cost of the wheelchair, along with the required wheelchair accessible van to transport her, is close to $75,000. Allie is a twin and one of five children, three of whom have special needs. Insurance covers only a small portion of equipment each year and the cost of this system is more than the family can afford.

The Tri-Cities Mothers of Twins and Triplets Club has formed “Spreading Sunshine for Allie”, a tax-deductible fundraising effort to try to give Allie her independence. For more information, or to spread sunshine for Allie, visit www.alliegagnon.org or contact:

Laura Sheppard
Spreading Sunshine for Allie
630-851-6811
[email protected]
www.alliegagnon.org