IMAGINE’s 7^th Annual Access Ramps for Life Festival will be held this year at the RBC Center in partnership with the Annual MS Walk. It will take place from 8am to 2pm. What this means is more to see, more to do, and lots more fun!  This will be a great event for the whole family.

The main focus for IMAGINE will be the Modular Wheelchair Ramp Construction.  IMAGINE builds these modular wheelchair ramps for people who are homebound due to a disability.  They are funded through Corporate Sponsorships made by businesses throughout the Triangle and the state that have a heart for those with various disabilities and their limitations both financial and physical. In any given month, IMAGINE receives at least 4-6 requests for ramps.  If there is sponsorship money available, they will build a ramp.  Circumstances that create this need are insurance companies refusing to pay for additional services in a hospital or physical rehabilitation center, an accident that causes the person to be unable to enter or exit their home without aid, or development of a physical disease or ailment that limits their mobility and creates a need for assistance.

IMAGINE celebrates its 10^th year of dedication to the disability community of NC. They also offer a revolving gift program for people who need a piece of mobility or independence equipment but are unable to afford it or their insurance will not cover it.

When: May 3, 2008 Event starts 8:00 a.m.  Walk starts 10:00 a.m.

Where: RBC Center, Raleigh, Please use the Edwards Mill entrance!

Routes: 1, 3, and 5.5 miles (fully supported with rest stops and emergency vehicles)

Food: Food vendors will be selling delicious food and adult beverages. Pepsi and water are free.

Entertainment: Big Daddy Rhythm and the Heavyweights - 8:00 a.m. start
The Embers - 9:00 a.m. start

Kid Zone - opens at 9:00 a.m.  Kid Zone all-inclusive passes available at the event for a minimum suggested donation of $5 per child.  Included in the Kid Zone will be an inflatable slide and moon bounce, face painting, balloon animals, and other games.

There will be information booths, vendor booths, concessions, and chair massages, For more information on IMAGINE, contact Holly at (919) 779-3487 or visit the website at www.ifuimagine.org.

The Eastern NC Chapter of the MS Society has referred a number of clients to IMAGINE for assistance with ramps as well as other types of equipment.  They have also helped sponsor some of these ramps by way of a partial sponsorship. To participate in the MS Walk, call (919) 834-0678 or visit www.walknct.nationalmssociety.org.  It is a fun, free, family event that will be attended by 4,000 to 5,000 people from the Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill area as well as supporters from other areas.  There are teams available to join or you can start your own team!