Connection
July 2017  
Save the date: Allies in Disguise to return this fall
"Wonder Woman" passes the Painted Post-Erwin Museum during the home stretch of the
Allies in Disguise 5K last year. Allies in Disguise will return to Craig Park on Sunday, Oct.29. 
 
Save the date!

The sixth annual Allies in Disguise 5K and Mile has been set for 10 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 29 at Craig Park in Painted Post.

The event is AIM Independent Living Center's fall fundraiser.

Runners and walkers are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes, and a prize will be awarded for the best costume. There will be food, music and children's activities.

A professional timing service will provide chipped timing for the 5K. Medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in nine age groups, male and female. 

Prizes will be awarded to the overall male and female winners, as well as the top male and female finishers in wheelchairs.

A new feature in the 5K this year is a team competition, with teams of four runners. Prizes will be awarded to the male, female and mixed teams based on the four runners' combined time.  Team members also compete individually in the 5K.

The registration fee is $20 per person for both the 5K and mile. For families or groups of two or more, the fee is $15 per person. Teams can register for the 5K for $60.

The registration fee includes an Allies in Disguise T-shirt. 

As an additional fundraiser, AIM is offering awareness key chains and bracelets, with different colors representing types of disabilities, for $5 apiece.
To register in advance or purchase awareness key chains and bracelets, click here.

Runners who pre-register will be able to pick up their bibs between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27 at the Corning AIM office, 271 E. First St.

There will also be race-day registration available from 8:30-9:30 a.m. on Oct. 29.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for area businesses to support Allies in Disguise. For a list of sponsorship incentives, click here.

Proceeds support AIM's programs and services to help people with disabilities live independently.

For more information, contact John Zick, AIM's director of government and public affairs, at [email protected] or (607) 962-8225, Ext. 116.

AIM's new wheelchair van delivered
AIM's Randi Sue Palmiter tests out AIM's new Dodge Grand Caravan with
Metro City rear-entry wheelchair conversion after it was delivered to the Corning office in June.

A new wheelchair-accessible van was recently delivered for use in AIM's Community Habilitation Program.

The 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan has a Metro City rear-entry wheelchair conversion and was purchased by AIM from a local dealer, Empire Bus Sales of Horseheads.
 
A ramp folds down from the rear door to allow wheelchairs to board. There is room for two wheelchairs. The passengers can be buckled into seat belts, and the wheelchairs can be secured to prevent them from rolling.

The new van will be used for the Community Habilitation Program, which helps people with developmental disabilities learn independent living skills and become more integrated into the community.

For example, the direct support professionals in the Community Habilitation Program can use the van to take consumers shopping, pursue activities that interest them, or volunteer in the community, said Kevan Aranda, program coordinator.

The van will be easier to drive and use on a daily basis than AIM's larger wheelchair-lift bus, Aranda said.

AIM began offering Community Habilitation services locally this year under the umbrella of the state Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, and the program is growing rapidly.
Sign installed at new Elmira office
JHDesign installs a sign outside the new Elmira AIM office. The sign will make it easier for consumers to locate the office and make AIM a more visible presence in downtown Elmira.

A new sign was recently installed outside the Elmira AIM office.

AIM purchased and renovated a building at 350 W. Church St. for its new Elmira office, which opened last fall. The parking lot, wheelchair ramp and main entrance are in the rear of the building, but having a sign installed out front had been a top priority for AIM's Building and Facilities Committee.

The sign will make it easier for consumers to locate the Elmira office, and it will also advertise AIM's presence in downtown Elmira to thousands of passing motorists on Church Street each day.

Todd Adams, AIM's director of facilities, got the sign approved by the City of Elmira's Code Enforcement Department, as well as the city's Historic Preservation Commission, as the AIM office is located in the Near Westside Historic District.

The sign was designed and installed by Jeremy Hogan's JHDesign, an Elmira company. 
New board members sought
AIM is seeking new members for its board of directors.

AIM's goal is to develop a board that has diverse experiences, perspectives, connections and skills. Candidates are sought from a wide array of personal and professional backgrounds.

Board members must reside in Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben or Allegany counties. The board meets at 6 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month, six times per year. Board members serve three-year terms and can expect to devote four hours per month to AIM.

Interested candidates should contact Executive Director René Snyder at [email protected] or 962-8225, Ext. 117.

 

AIM Independent

Living Center

271 E. First Street

Corning, NY 14830  

Phone:  (607) 962-8225

Fax: (607) 937-5125

Sorenson VP:

 (607) 215-7836

 
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