Write a commentARISE and the YMCA are partnering to offer runners the opportunity to support ramps for neighbors in need across Oswego County.
The brand new 5K charity run is a new feature of the annual ARISE and Ride for Ramps event at Fort Ontario.
"We are delighted to welcome the YMCA as a partner in our event," said Jim Karasek, director of advocacy services at ARISE in Oswego County. "People told us that they wanted to take part in our event by running and the Y's willingness to step forward is fantastic. They are a vital part of this community and we are grateful for their desire to support the ramp program."
Jackie Sheffield, associate director of the Oswego YMCA added, "The Oswego Y is happy to help ARISE with the 5K fun run for their charity event. Our synergistic missions make us natural partners in our community."
The fifth annual ARISE & Ride for Ramps will take place Saturday, June 8, at Fort Ontario. In addition to the run, there will also be a four-hour motorcycle ride through the North Country, a kids' bike ride, chicken barbecue, Rudy's Lakeside and lots of fun for the entire family. All proceeds from the event will be used to purchase construction materials for the ARISE Oswego County Ramp Program.
The ARISE Ramp Program is a local effort that gives people with physical disabilities access to their home. Through the support of volunteers who build the ramps and donations from local families and businesses, the program has helped more than 140 families in Oswego County.
"For someone who uses a wheelchair or has mobility impairments, a single step can make home feel like a prison," Karasek said. "The ramp serves as a gateway to independence."
ARISE & Ride for Ramps is supported by Empower Federal Credit Union, Relph Benefit Advisors, Haylor, Freyer & Coon, Fulton Savings Bank, Friends of Fort Ontario, Murdock's Bicycles & Sports, NewsChannel 9, Precision Sign and Graphics, Rudy's Lakeside, Woodchuck Saloon, and Zink Shirts.
