SIXTH ANNUAL X-TREME ABILITY CHALLENGE RETURNS TO BENEFIT HSI (8/1/2007)
RENO, Nev. - On your mark. Get set. Roll! Competition is again heating up for HSI's sixth annual X-treme Ability Challenge (XAC) as the northern Nevada business community gets ready to compete against local business leaders, elected officials and members of the media. The XAC is an unusual but unique relay race that provides participants a rare opportunity to experience work from the perspective of a person with a disability including having to open and close an ordinary door while in a wheel chair. This year's challenge will be held at HSI, 555 Reactor Way, Reno, on Saturday, August 25 at 10:30 a.m. and includes a barbeque lunch, games for the whole family, a magic show and silent auction.
XAC is the largest fundraiser of the year for HSI, a non-profit organization providing light manufacturing work experience for individuals with disabilities. Teams of eight participate in a short relay race, pushing their limits as they perform the same tasks as HSI employees, such as assembling brackets using only one hand, building a box while blindfolded or opening a door sitting in a wheel chair.
The XAC event creates awareness of the abilities of disabled individuals as well as raises crucial funds used to support and enhance the quality of work life for HSI employees.
"Few have had an opportunity to live the popular expression 'walk a mile in someone else's shoes,'" said LaVonne Brooks, HSI chief executive officer and executive director. "The XAC race is literally an opportunity for community members to 'walk a mile' in our employees' shoes. This event is designed to focus on what people with disabilities can do and how they contribute positively to our community. Most of us want to work; we want to feel needed and useful. People with disabilities -no matter how severe-are no different."
XAC teams will experience:
- Performing assembly tasks with challenges such as wearing a blindfold or only using your non-dominant hand
- Using sign language, utilizing a reference card, to communicate a message to a team member. The team member will receive the message and record it to ensure accuracy.
- Opening a door and maneuver through it while in a wheel chair. Another team member will close the door and race for the finish line (while holding the race baton).
This year's XAC Honorary Chairs are Nevada's First Lady Dawn Gibbons and Ralph Toddre, president and COO of Sunbelt Communications (KRNV Channel 4).
The community is encouraged to register and support this important event. Teams of eight people are $1,030 donation; tickets for the festivities, including the barbeque and silent auction, and games are a $25 donation; kids under 12 are free! HSI is located at 555 Reactor Way, near Energy and Rock Blvd. in Reno. To register or find out more about how your business can support HSI, go to www.hsireno.com or call 775-829-7400, ext. 109.
About HSI
HSI is a non-profit organization established in 1977 to serve people with disabilities in northern Nevada. HSI provides a variety of meaningful work, learning and supported living opportunities for more than 190 people with disabilities. In addition to providing employment opportunities in the light manufacturing industry, HSI also encourages the people they serve to become self-sufficient and independent, by delivering the best training and development services available. HSI is recognized by local, statewide and national organizations for the service it provides to the disabled community as well as excellence in manufacturing operations.