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October 10, 2024STRIDE Founder Mary Ellen Whitney to Be Honored at Founder’s Gala
STRIDE Adaptive Sports is proud to announce a special evening to honor the remarkable career and retirement of its founder, Mary Ellen Whitney. The Founder’s Gala will take place on Thursday, October 24th, from 6 PM to 9 PM at Old Daley on Crooked Lake. The event will celebrate Mary Ellen’s nearly 40 years of dedication to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities through adaptive sports and recreation.
Tickets are now available for this memorable evening. Individual tickets are priced at $75, while those wishing to further honor Mary Ellen’s legacy can join the Honorary Committee for $150 (one ticket) or $250 (two tickets). Tickets can be purchased online, www.stride.org/founders-gala-celebrating-a-lifetime-of-dedication.
Nearly four decades ago, as an adaptive physical education teacher, Mary Ellen witnessed the exclusion of students with disabilities from extracurricular activities. Determined to make a change, she began teaching her students how to ski, recruiting friends to volunteer in what would become STRIDE’s first adaptive skiing program. From those humble beginnings, STRIDE quickly expanded to offer a wide array of adaptive sports.
Mary Ellen’s passion for inclusivity only grew over the years. In 2005, she was asked to create specialized programs for Wounded Warriors, focusing on the mind, body, and spirit. By 2007, she fully dedicated her career to growing STRIDE’s reach, bringing new adaptive sports programs to communities across the region.
One of Mary Ellen’s crowning achievements came in 2011, when STRIDE secured an 86-acre former Girl Scout camp. Each summer, the site hosts six themed, overnight camping weekends for youth with disabilities and Wounded Warriors. In 2017, STRIDE moved to its current office and in 2019, STRIDE further expanded with the opening of the STRIDE Community Fitness Center, offering a variety of fitness classes and community events.
Today, STRIDE operates 18 adaptive sports and recreation programs across 26 locations in two states, continuing to enrich the lives of countless individuals. Mary Ellen’s visionary leadership and tireless commitment have left an enduring legacy that will be celebrated at this special event.
To purchase tickets or inquire about the Honorary Committee, please visit STRIDE’s website or contact Christine Golden, cgolden@stride.org for assistance. For more information on STRIDE, visit www.stride.org
