A Perfect Day for Kiwanis’ Walk in the Park

It was a beautiful day for a walk in the park. The sun shone on smiling faces Sunday, Aug. 25, for one of the Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp’s biggest fundraisers of the year – the 2024 Walk, Roll Or Stroll.
The Kiwanis could not have picked a more perfect late summer’s day. Kiwanis Development and Communications Director Skye Burns thanks everyone who helped make this year’s event a sun- splashed success.
“This year, we were able to raise almost $50,000 thanks to the generous support from all of our teams, participants, sponsors and volunteers,” she said.
Almost 200 participants took to the 1-mile loop on the grounds of Oaks Amusement Park in Portland. The Kiwanis were very pleased with the large turnout for the 17th anniversary of the event.
“Participants enjoyed lovely weather and a barbecue lunch thanks to Performance Food Service, which donated the food,” Burns said. “Ice cream was donated by Salt And Straw.”
Other attractions included live music from the Kiwanis Camp’s very own Staff Infection band, face painting, a balloon artist, rounds of Bingo and more.
The Walk, Roll Or Stroll raised money for Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp, located on a fully accessible 22-acre campsite in the Rhododendron community of the Mt. Hood National Forest. For more than 85 years, local Kiwanis have served individuals with developmental disabilities, providing outdoor recreational programs in the winter and summer. They serve 500 to 600 campers of all ages each year.
On any given summer day, campers can be found catching fish, conquering their fears on the adventure course and zipline, splashing at the pool, riding horses for the first time, whitewater rafting, paddling a canoe on Trillium Lake, and dancing around the campfire.
Wheelchair accessible trails and innovations such as adaptive saddles, harnesses, and bicycles make the traditional camp experience available to all. Camp doesn’t just offer outdoor activities. It offers a chance for people with disabilities to make new friends and build community in a friendly, non-judgmental environment where they can feel empowered and included.
At this year’s Walk, Roll Or Stroll, Kiwanis Foundation Board President Cary Solberg won first place as the top individual fundraiser. Triple AAA Oregon/ Idaho was the presenting sponsor for the event.
The Kiwanis hold an Auction and Gala in the spring. It is the biggest fundraiser on Mt. Hood Kiwanis’ calendar. For more information about Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp, go online to mhkc.org.