PHOTOS: Abilis Brings Out the Sun for 2023 Walk/Run at Tod’s Point

The annual Abilis Walk/Run fundraiser took place Sunday morning featuring a 5K Run, 1-Mile Walk and celebrity fitness instructor Billy Blanks Jr, who led a warmup for participants with fun dances and moves.

After many weekends of heavy rain, the skies cleared for the event, and the temps hovered around 60° – perfect for a brisk walk or run.

This year’s Abilis Walk/Run ambassador was Kristen Schumacher, 23, of Stamford who helped kick-off the festivities.

Amy Montimurro President/CEO of Abilis with Kristen Schumacher, the 2023 ambassador for Abilis. Oct 15, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager.

Kristen lives in an Abilis residence and is part of the Abilis competitive employment program. She has been with Abilis since she was a baby, starting with the Abilis Birth to Three program.

Today she works at Greenwich Country Club and at the Abilis Café, located at the Abilis headquarters, where she is responsible for setting up the Café every day. She is also a graduate of the Abilis Project SEARCH program at the Darien YMCA.

Activities at this year’s Walk/Run for Abilis included celebrity fitness guru and choreographer Billy Blanks Jr, who reprised his role as master of ceremonies and warmed up the crowd in the Tod’s Point Clambake area with fun dance and exercise moves and stretching.

The Dance Pointe troupe showed off some of their dance moves. Carnival for a Cause, face painting and a balloon artist entertained the kids.

Runners of all ages participated in the 5K portion of the Abilis Walk/Run on Oct 15, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager

The funds raised at Walk/Run for Abilis will be restricted to new initiatives at Abilis to support the 800+ individuals with disabilities and their families, throughout lower Fairfield County.

Abilis is a 501c3 non-profit organization that supports more than 800 individuals with disabilities and their families from birth throughout their lives.

Founded in 1951, Abilis is a leader in providing meaningful supports to the community in Fairfield County, Connecticut, in towns including Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Ridgefield, Stamford, Westport and Wilton. The organization has a long-standing reputation for individualized, high-quality care.