Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Occupational Therapy Assistant Club held an Oct. 30 walkathon to benefit both the club and a charity that assists individuals with disabilities.
The student-organized walk raised $1,250, of which $400 will be given to the I’m Able Foundation.
The foundation was founded in 2007 by Chris Kaag, a disabled Marine, to build and support active lifestyles for individuals with disabilities.
I’m Able provides grants to individuals and organizations to provide adaptive sports equipment and instructional training programs, an Inclusive Fitness program, and advocacy to show people of all abilities the potential to lead an active lifestyle.
Members of the college’s Occupational Therapy Assistant Club were inspired to host a fundraiser for I’m Able after author Janet Oberholtzer spoke on campus and visited students and facilities in the college’s School of Health Sciences. Oberholtzer survived serious injuries following a vehicle accident to return to running marathons, one as a representative of I’m Able.
The remainder of the funds will support initiatives of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Club, including helping students to pay the course fees required to obtain the Physical Agent Modalities Practitioner credential.
“The walkathon’s success wouldn’t have been possible without the generosity of the Kelley family,” said club President Brianna Boyance, an applied health studies: occupational therapy assistant concentration student from Forked River, N.J., of the family of Mary Kate Kelley, the club’s vice president, which turned out in strong numbers for the walk.
Penn College offers an associate degree in occupational therapy assistant, which can be continued to a bachelor’s degree in applied health studies. Occupational therapy provides opportunities to assist people facing challenges in everyday life to participate fully in leisure, work and activities of daily living.
To learn more about the occupational therapy assistant program at Penn College, call 570-327-4519.
For more about the college, which is celebrating its Centennial throughout 2014, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.
The student-organized walk raised $1,250, of which $400 will be given to the I’m Able Foundation.
The foundation was founded in 2007 by Chris Kaag, a disabled Marine, to build and support active lifestyles for individuals with disabilities.
![: Participants loop Penn College’s Susquehanna Street walking mall during a student-organized walkathon that raised money for the I’m Able Foundation and to help occupational therapy assistant students pay for professional credentialing fees.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2014/11/Walkathon-300x199.jpg)
Members of the college’s Occupational Therapy Assistant Club were inspired to host a fundraiser for I’m Able after author Janet Oberholtzer spoke on campus and visited students and facilities in the college’s School of Health Sciences. Oberholtzer survived serious injuries following a vehicle accident to return to running marathons, one as a representative of I’m Able.
![Occupational therapy assistant students, seated, from left: Scott E. Border, Valeria Passalacqua, Paige E. Monk and Charlotte A. Corcelius. Standing, from left, Linda M. Barnes, associate professor of occupational therapy assistant, and occupational therapy assistant students Amanda L. Jopling, Cathleen M. Thompson, Gabrielle M. Leister, Jessica A. Guldner and Samantha L. Reed.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2014/11/14_103014_20872-300x199.jpg)
![Dressed for the pre-Halloween occasion, Occupational Therapy Assistant Club president Brianna Boyance, left, and vice president Mary Kate Kelley walk with Kelley’s grandmother, Pat Czech, 83.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2014/11/14_103014_20879-300x199.jpg)
Penn College offers an associate degree in occupational therapy assistant, which can be continued to a bachelor’s degree in applied health studies. Occupational therapy provides opportunities to assist people facing challenges in everyday life to participate fully in leisure, work and activities of daily living.
To learn more about the occupational therapy assistant program at Penn College, call 570-327-4519.
For more about the college, which is celebrating its Centennial throughout 2014, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.