Go Metro to Familia Unida’s Annual Wheelchair Wash July 29

Friday July 14, 2006

Familia Unida Living with Multiple Sclerosis (FULWMS) will sponsor the 3rd Annual Wheelchair Wash, offering free wheelchair and walker cleaning, haircuts, makeovers and live entertainment, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 29 at 4716 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave. And Metro can take you there via Line 68 or Line 368 buses.

“This is an incredibly creative event,” said LA County Supervisor and Metro Board Chair Gloria Molina. “Started from nothing but imagination, it has grown to help thousands of people over the years. It’s a strong statement on how important it is for us to help each other. Even small acts of kindness can be significant.”

Participants can join Mayor Antonio Villariagosa, who is scheduled to wash wheelchairs at 10 a.m. The event, in the parking lot at the corner of Cesar E. Chavez Ave. and Dangler Avenue, is open to the disabled community. Call (323) 261-5565 or toll free at (877) 298-3267 as early as possible to register for the event. Or you may also visit www.msfamiliaunida.org to register online or donate.

The Annual Wheelchair Wash was created by Irma Resendez, founder and president of the Familia Unida Living with Multiple Sclerosis organization. Resendez was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1990. “You start noticing other people’s wheelchairs. I realized that other people don’t always have someone to help them. So for eight years I provided support and services to families with disabilities from my home with just my husband and our daughters.” In 1998, Resendez founded FULWMS and two years ago the wheelchair wash event was created. Last year it served more than 1,000 by washing wheelchairs, walkers and canes and offering free grooming to the disabled community.

For more information on getting to the 3rd Annual Wheelchair Wash, call 1-800-COMMUTE.