ATI, Slammers Metal Walk & Fun Run Benefits Local Kids, Causes

The ATI Foundation will host its annual Metal Walk & Fun Run, presented by Hinsdale Orthopaedics and sponsored by the Joliet Slammers and ATI Physical Therapy, on Saturday, June 21 at Silver Cross Field,  1 Mayor Art Schultz Drive in Joliet.

The events will raise money for local children with physical impairments, and is set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

The day will start and finish at home plate on the Joliet Slammers field, and will be followed by food, entertainment, kid’s activities and prizes. 

This year's beneficiaries include 1-year-old Brynn Kelly of Joliet, who will be a special honoree at the event.  

Brynn was born with Enterocolitis Syndrome, which doesn’t allow her body to break down certain proteins in her diet. The rare syndrome, which affects only 100 kids in the United States, has left Brynn severely malnourished and has caused several physical and developmental delays.    

Brynn was born with enterocolitis syndrome, which doesn’t allow her body to break down certain proteins in her diet.

The ATI Foundation will be assisting Brynn and her family with a grant for medical expenses related to her syndrome, including special formula, medications, and travel for her and her parents to Boston Children’s Hospital for further testing and treatments 

Manny Bueno, age 2, of Romeoville will also be a special honoree at this year’s event. Manny has cerebral palsy, which was caused by lack of oxygen during birth. Manny’s family was told he wouldn’t live past three days.

To date, “Super Manny” as he is known, has undergone nearly 160 hyperbaric oxygen chamber treatments that are healing his brain, and helping him function beyond what was ever thought possible. These treatments, however, are not covered by insurance and cost $180 each. The family has chosen to purchase their own chamber for use at home with a cost of approximately $25,000. To date, they have raised over $15,000 through various fundraisers, and the ATI Foundation will be awarding them a grant that will be one of the final pieces of the puzzle in their efforts to purchase this medical necessity.

Another honoree is Ready Set Ride of Plainfield, a non-profit organization that has been providing therapeutic horseback riding for children and adults with physical disabilities. 

Ready Set Ride has 12 horses that provide therapy. More than 70 riders per week, mostly children, come for an hour to enjoy freedom from a wheelchair, freedom from a walker, wind blowing through their hair, and the joy of being high in the sky and riding a horse JUST like everyone else. The ATI Foundation will assist the organization with a grant that will help pay for some of the costs to maintain the horses, and some costs that will allow the kids to ride at no charge.

Other beneficiaries of the June 21 event are:

• Aaron Escamilla, age 2 of Lockport – global delays, hypotonia and feeding disorder
• Kelly Cunningham, age 18 of Ashkum – complex regional pain syndrome
• Daisy Sanchez, age 9 of Chicago – limb girdle muscular dystrophy

Metal Walk

The Metal Walk portion of the event honors a unique population of patients who have overcome the challenge of joint replacement. Metal Walkers are not only the recipients, but also support teams of friends and family members who walk with them. Participants will enjoy a scenic 1K course through historic downtown Joliet, and will be treated to entertainment, food and celebration at the finish line.

Fun Run

The Fun Run is a 5K open to all competitive runners, leisurely joggers and walkers of all levels. Participants can run, jog, walk, wheelchair, ride arm-bikes, etc., through historic downtown Joliet. Food, entertainment and family fun will be waiting at the finish line.

If you’re not a walker or runner come join the celebration. The $10 donation on event day will include food and beverage (non-alcoholic) ticket, door prize ticket, live entertainment, and kid’s entertainment area. Event shirts can also be purchased.

Registration for the Metal Walk & Fun Run can be completed online at  www.ATIFoundation.com. Donation is $30 for early registration through June 15, and $35 thereafter. Kids 12 and under are free.

Event day registration starts at 8:30 a.m., and the event begins at 10:00 a.m.  All participants will receive a T-shirt, entrance to the post-event celebration, door prize ticket and food/beverage voucher.

Proceeds from the Metal Walk & Fun Run benefit the ATI Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping children with physical impairments in need of medical and financial resources. 

For up-to-date event information, or questions, please visit www. ATIFoundation.com.