The second annual Ryan Bell Memorial Walk and Wheel-A-Thon will be held on Oct. 12 at Brookdale Community College, Route 520, Lincroft. There will be a 1.5- mile walk, refreshments, entertainment and giveaways.
Entertainment includes magicians from Skyhigh Entertainment, Mr. Scott the Music Man, 95.9 WRAT-FM radio and face painting. Proceeds from the event will benefit LADACIN Network, formerly Cerebral Palsy of Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
LADACIN is a nonprofit agency providing education, therapeutic, social, residential and support services to more than 2,500 infants, children and adults with cerebral palsy and other physical disabilities.
In 2007, Ryan’s parents, Marlene and Stephen Bell of Marlboro, created the event to bring together friends and family and celebrate the memory of their son’s life. Ryan passed away at the age of 9. Ryan was an endearing boy who loved his family, sports, the outdoors and his school. He received education, therapy and other services at LADACIN’s Schroth School five days a week, year round for seven years.
“The services he received and the commitment of the staff had an extraordinary impact on Ryan’s life. Despite his disabilities and the challenges he faced, he had an incredible spirit, was always quick to smile or laugh, and touched the lives of many people,” Stephen Bell said. “We look forward to this event as an opportunity to celebrate Ryan’s life with family and friends, while raising money in support of LADACIN’s mission.”
Stephen Bell is a member of the LADACIN Network Board of Trustees and Marlene Bell is active in many of the fundraising committees.
Last year, more than 100 friends and family attended the inaugural event on a sunny day in October. Many others made generous contributions. In total, more than $14,000 was raised to support the mission of LADACIN. The money raised at last year’s event was donated to a specialized playground fund and a building fund. Money raised at this year’s event will also be donated to these funds, according to a press release.
The specialized playground fund will support the planned construction of a new inclusive playground at the Schroth School. Children with disabilities cannot access a typical playground and need specialized equipment, rubberized surfaces and ramps to enable them to experience the social and therapeutic aspects of play. The building fund is directed to the planned construction of a new facility to address the space constraints resulting from the steadily increasing demand for LADACIN’s services.
The walk and wheel-a-thon will take place at Larrison Hall at Brookdale Community College at 2 p.m. Registration will be at 1:30 p.m. The registration fee is $10. Sponsorship opportunities are available. The agency is seeking contributions of refreshments from the community.
For more information about the event or to make a donation to the Ryan Bell Memorial Fund, call community relations at 732-493-5900 or go to www.ladacin.org.