Samantha's Purpose VIRTUAL Run, Walk & Stroll 2K for Cerebral Palsy Awareness

The 2021 RUN, WALK & STROLL 2K FOR CEREBRAL PALSY, organized by Samantha’s Purpose, will take place on Saturday, March 20, 2021, AS A VIRTUAL EVENT, due to the extreme risk associated with COVID.  Although we will not be able to all get together this year to kick-off Cerebral Palsy Awareness month, we will still do our very best to make this event special.

The 2020 event was a great success and the funds raised made a huge impact on the lives of Cerebral Palsy families that were financially affected by COVID-19 and lack of income because they were forced to stay home and care for their family members who live with CP every day.  We were able to provide to families that applied for assistance with groceries, medication, medical supplies, and respite care; to name a few.  In some instances, the families were unable to leave the house and we were able to order their groceries and have them delivered to their front door.  Your donations and support made this possible. 

The proceeds from the 2021 event will be used to continue providing COVID-19 financial support and respite care grants.  We will also place a portion of the funds aside to:

• fund programs that provide guidance and support to families of children/adults with Cerebral Palsy (by helping them navigate the maze of insurance, government programs, education and doctors); 

• fund grants that will support schools and summer camps that are fully inclusive and support and improve the lives of those living with Cerebral Palsy; and 

• fund advocacy for the greater inclusion of those with Cerebral Palsy throughout the community.  Our first step towards this is raising awareness about the need for fully-inclusive restrooms throughout South Florida so that the disabled community (despite age or diagnosis) that require special bathroom assistance have the ability to enjoy their community and beyond.  

SAMANTHA’S PURPOSE is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization that was co-founded by Jose “Manny” Garcia and, his wife, Michelle Coffey-Garcia.  Their daughter, Samantha, is the inspiration for this organization.  Samantha’s Purpose fulfills their promise to her that they would give her disability a “purpose”.  The mission is to increase awareness and understanding of Cerebral Palsy, by bringing families, community members, and children of all abilities together.