3rd Annual Wheelchair Wash Festivity Reaches Out To The Disabled Community

[Guest guest]

3rd Annual Wheelchair Wash Festivity Reaches Out To The Disabled

Community

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=47803

Familia Unida and Blue Cross of California (Blue Cross) are teaming

up to host the Third Annual Wheelchair Wash timed to commemorate the

upcoming 16th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

(ADA) on July 29 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Familia Unida

Office, located at 4716 East Cesar Chavez Avenue in Los Angeles, CA.

The festivity will also feature the unveiling of Familia Unida's new

mascot, Rosie the Roadster.

The celebration will kick-off with hundreds of people in wheelchairs

and community volunteers armed with soap and water offering free

cleaning and washing of manual or electric wheelchairs and power

scooters for members of the disabled community throughout Los Angeles

County; in addition participants will also be pampered by beauty

experts who will be on hand to give free haircuts, manicures and

makeovers.

Familia Unida will also be unveiling their new mascot Rosie the

Roadster who came to life through their collaboration with Blue

Cross. Vickers, Blue Cross employee, submitted the winning

name from hundreds of nominations that were entered and voted on by a

panel of Familia Unida and Blue Cross executives.

" I am pleased that 'Rosie the Roadster' was chosen, " said Irma

Resendez, president and founder of Familia Unida Living with

MS. " Rosie was chosen in memory of 'Rosie the Riveter,' who

symbolizes equality for all, social justice and reminds us that --

you can do it. "

For the third year, Blue Cross has teamed with Familia Unida to

conduct outreach to the community about wellness and health care and

to support the members of Familia Unida and their families with new

programs such as Agent to Work. " Blue Cross is honored to be part of

this prestigious event and appreciates the inspiring work of Familia

Unida, " said Leonor McCall- , vice president, Emerging

Markets for Blue Cross. " Our collaboration with Familia Unida

reflects our ongoing commitment to empower and educate families who

represent the diverse faces that make up California. The success of

the program is a testament to Irma's efforts to go the distance to

provide needed multicultural services to people with disabilities, "

added McCall-.

Timed with the 16th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities

Act (ADA), Familia Unida's Wheelchair Wash recognizes the important

milestone the ADA has made. The ADA is the single most important

piece of legislation prohibiting private employers, state and local

governments, employment agencies and labor unions from discriminating

against qualified individuals with disabilities.

In addition to the festivities of the day, the Wheelchair Wash will

feature special guests and feature activities such as:

-- Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa (scheduled to arrive at 10

a.m.)

-- A photo with mascot " Rosie the Roadster " (all day)

-- A member profile (somebody whose life improved because ADA)

We appreciate the presenting sponsor Creatable Inflatables; event

sponsors will provide volunteer support, goodies and important health

and community resources. Advance registration is recommended to

ensure participation. To register, call Familia Unida at (323) 261-

5565 by July 25, 2006.

This event is also supported in part by AARP, AltaMed Health

Services, Ballet Folklorico Flor de Mayo, Chivas USA, Comedian Shayla

, CVS/pharmacy, Dos Hermanos Restaurant, El Clasificado, El

Gallo Giro, Health Net, KMEX-TV Univision 34, L.A. Care Health Plan,

La Opinion, Metro, Montebello Beauty College, Public Relations

Society of America, Southern California Edison, Southern California

Gas Company, The California Endowment, The Walt Disney Company, Union

Bank of California and Univision Radio, entertainer Rebekah del Rio

and much more.