On Sunday October 5th, 2014, the first annual “Out on a Limb” Walk was held at noon on the Long Beach Boardwalk. The event was co-sponsored by A.O. Prosthetic Rehab Center from Ozone Park, and Grandell Rehabilitation and Nursing Center from Long Beach. The walk was to benefit 3 organizations that help amputees both locally and globally; first being the Amputee Coalition of America, second is the Challenged Athletes Foundation, and third is the Living Water Children’s Center Fund.
The event was a complete success as over 200 participants, both amputees and able-bodied walkers joined to walk the boardwalk. In attendance were local vendors, local businesses, corporate sponsors, and prosthetic manufacturers, showing off their goods and services. All ages had fun at the event as a DJ played music, face painters and food were all part of the walk. As everyone returned from walking the boardwalk, over 35 baskets filled with local products and gift certificates including an IPAD were raffled off to lucky winners. Then, for the final grand prizes, 3 very lucky amputees walked away as winners of a custom running prosthesis that were raffled off. The 3 running feet were donated by prosthetic manufacturers Otto Bock, Ossur, and Freedom Innovations, and the prosthetic limbs will be fabricated by the co-host A.O. Prosthetic Rehab Center.
The walkers created many teams and raised over $15,000 for the 3 receiving organizations. Plans for next year’s 2nd annual “Out on a Limb” Walk are already in the works, and the coordinators are excited to soon announce the charitable organizations that will receive the funds raised in next year’s walk.
