Chelsie Hill of the Rollettes leads warm-up for Stroll & Roll at AbilityFirst's Stroll and Roll at Santa Anita Park [Photos: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Stroll & Roll participants during warm-up at AbilityFirst's Stroll and Roll at Santa Anita Park [Photos: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Stroll & Roll participants during warm-up at AbilityFirst's Stroll and Roll at Santa Anita Park [Photos: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Stroll & Roll participants during warm-up at AbilityFirst's Stroll and Roll at Santa Anita Park [Photos: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Stroll & Roll participants during warm-up at AbilityFirst's Stroll and Roll at Santa Anita Park [Photos: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Actress Jaclyn Smith at AbilityFirst's Stroll and Roll at Santa Anita Park [Photos: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Stroll & Roll Steering Committee Chair Willan Johnson at AbilityFirst's Stroll and Roll at Santa Anita Park [Photos: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Stroll & Roll participants at the starting line at AbilityFirst's Stroll and Roll at Santa Anita Park [Photos: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Stroll & Roll participants at the starting line at AbilityFirst's Stroll and Roll at Santa Anita Park [Photos: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Fans cheering on Stroll & Roll participants at AbilityFirst's Stroll and Roll at Santa Anita Park [Photos: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Stroll & Roll participants at AbilityFirst's Stroll and Roll at Santa Anita Park [Photos: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Stroll & Roll participants at AbilityFirst's Stroll and Roll at Santa Anita Park [Photos: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Stroll & Roll participants at AbilityFirst's Stroll and Roll at Santa Anita Park [Photos: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Stroll & Roll participants at AbilityFirst's Stroll and Roll at Santa Anita Park [Photos: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Stroll & Roll participants at AbilityFirst's Stroll and Roll at Santa Anita Park [Photos: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Stroll & Roll participants at the finish line at AbilityFirst's Stroll and Roll at Santa Anita Park [Photos: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Stroll & Roll participants at the finish line at AbilityFirst's Stroll and Roll at Santa Anita Park [Photos: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Stroll & Roll participants at the finish line at AbilityFirst's Stroll and Roll at Santa Anita Park [Photos: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Actress Jaclyn Smith at the finish line at AbilityFirst's Stroll and Roll at Santa Anita Park [Photos: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Straight Abilities dance team at AbilityFirst's Stroll and Roll at Santa Anita Park [Photos: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
LEARNs dance team members with Laker Girls at AbilityFirst's Stroll and Roll at Santa Anita Park [Photos: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Ability First Interim CEO Julie Tugend and Susanna Deng at AbilityFirst's Stroll and Roll at Santa Anita Park [Photos: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Officer Alec Pereyda, Rebecca Haussling, Officer Steven Salas at AbilityFirst's Stroll and Roll at Santa Anita Park [Photos: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Chris Valle, Lupita Lopez, Omar Valle, Velvet Galindo at AbilityFirst's Stroll and Roll at Santa Anita Park [Photos: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Sam Warren, Maria Warren, Billie Shore, Emily Shore, Shannon Weaver, Todd Weaver at AbilityFirst's Stroll and Roll at Santa Anita Park [Photos: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Participants laced up their walking shoes and rolled into a day of celebration and community support at the highly anticipated AbilityFirst Stroll & Roll 2023. Held on Saturday, November 11, at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, this heartwarming event unfolded as an unforgettable experience for families, corporate sponsors, celebrity supporters, and all community members.
Organized by AbilityFirst, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children and adults with disabilities reach their full potential, the Stroll & Roll has become a vital part of their fundraising efforts, providing essential support for year-round programs that empower individuals with disabilities.
The event, which began with an opening ceremony at 10:30 a.m. and ran until 2:00 p.m., was filled with live entertainment, an awards ceremony, interactive exhibitors, and generous giveaways for all participants.
The Stroll & Roll featured a welcome program emceed by reporter Mekahlo Medina of NBC4, along with welcome remarks from the Stroll & Roll committee chair and an inspiring story from an AbilityFirst participant and their family. The walk/stroll/roll led attendees through various activities. Live performances included Straight Up Abilities, Christine Marie featuring Ice Bear, Crown City Drum Squad, and the Pasadena Unified School District cheerleaders, complemented by carnival games, food trucks, and a beer garden sponsored by Golden Road Brewing.
AbilityFirst’s dedication to standing alongside people with developmental disabilities and their families was evident in their mission. They prioritized the well-being of their participants, creating a space built on mutual trust, where each person was supported to achieve their personal best.
For more information on AbilityFirst and their programs visit www.abilityfirst.org.
