ALL BODIES-IN-MOTION EVENT & 5K
SEPTEMBER 23RD
8AM -11AM

VIETNAM VETERANS PARK, CONCORD, NC This isn’t your ordinary 5K: The goal is inclusion (and fun) for participants of ALL abilities. That’s why – in addition to the timed 5K (or virtual 5K for those who can’t attend) – there is an All-Abilities Decathlon Activity Adventure Course as well as some other features.

We want participants of all abilities to feel welcomed and have opportunities to make connections while you’re here. Our ways to encourage connections include:

Greeting Stickers – Stickers are provided for you to share your greeting preference. We borrowed this idea from elementary school’s social emotional training programs. Greeting others in their preferred method helps create connections, gives a sense of belonging and provides a comfortable environment, it’s a great conversation starter too.

All Abilities Decathalon Event – This event has been designed to provide a safe, fun, competitive environment for our friends of all abilities who prefer games over walking and running. Guides/coaches are assigned to each station and will assist as needed to ensure each person is successful in their own right. Bodies will be in motion and points are earned and accumulated for friendly competition.

Sensory Tents – KSF has set up sensory tents as a safe place for our friends who are feeling overwhelmed due to heat, crowd, & music and need a place to reset mood and reduce stress. Each tent has three sides to reduce sensory input, a fan (if needed), a rug (if needed), places to sit, sunglasses, ear plugs, cool water and fidget toys to make our friends and their caregivers as comfortable as possible.

Additional event accommodations: For our friends whose abilities are best served by starting on pavement versus grass, a KSF team member will pass their bib over the start and finish line to provide the most accurate time keeping and provide an equitable environment for competition. Visual schedules have been created and are posted to make processing easier for visual learners.

Parking – KSF encourages participants to park as far away from the entry point as is comfortable for you for two (2) reasons: 1) it helps you get some extra steps in to warm up and 2) it creates additional parking spaces closest to the entry point for our friends who benefit from proximity due to sensory issues, physical attributes, medical concerns/conditions that impact the level of effort required to get from their vehicles to the starting point.

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All proceeds from this event support the programs of the KennedyStrong Foundation, a 501(c)(3) whose mission is to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

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KennedyStrong Foundation, is a 501(cX3) non-profit chantable organization. All monetary and in-kind donations are tax deductible.

KENNEDYSTRONG FOUNDATION MISSION: To create programs and services to support individuals with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities and their families as well as promoting advocacy and inclusion to help them reach their full potential.

KENNEDYSTRONG FOUNDATION VISION: The KennedyStrong Foundation sees an inclusive community that empowers individuals with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) to Live, Work, Learn and Play achieving
their dreams of independence and employment in a safe and secure environment.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jeff Masilun
Mindstorm Communications Group, Inc.
jeffm@gomindstorm.com
704-451-7894