Abilis is proud to announced that longtime advocates and supporters Adriana Ospina and David Gortz, and their families who have been community champions who helped launch the very first Walk/Run for Abilis event two decades ago, will serve as family ambassadors for this year’s 20th annual Walk/Run for Abilis on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at the Clambake area of Greenwich Point Park (Tod’s Point) in Old Greenwich.
Linda & David Gortz and son Scott with Alejandra and her mother Adriana Ospina. Contributed photo
Twenty years ago, Adriana Ospina was an Abilis employee — and mother four, including daughter Alejandra, an Abilis community member.
Adriana recalls when she got the spark for the original idea for a community event that would welcome everyone to support Abilis, regardless of their ability to donate on a large or small scale.
At the time, Abilis was known as ARC, and board member David Gortz, whose son Scott is also served by Abilis and lives in an Abilis residential home, volunteered to help bring her vision to life. The inaugural event was originally called “Walk in the Park for Arc,” and drew hundreds, setting the tone for today’s Walk/Run for Abilis, which has become a beloved, inclusive annual fall tradition that unites families, friends and neighbors in support of individuals with disabilities.
“I get so emotional when I think about what a wonderful event Walk/Run for Abilis is,” said Adriana Ospina. “It’s the one time of year everyone can come together, regardless of their ability, and be together without worry or concern. Our kids can just be kids, having fun with each other, dancing and walking or running and being with family and friends.”
David Gortz added that extended family members now fly in from around the world to join his son Scott and all of the Abilis community each year. “There is just something so special about the Walk/Run for Abilis event,” said David Gortz. “It brings everyone together and does so much good for the organization and the individuals.”
For 20 years, the heart of the event has stayed the same — a free walk so that everyone can participate and donate what they can to support the organization. In 2016, Abilis added the 5K family fun run, bringing even more participants and momentum. Today, Walk/Run for Abilis also features favorites such as Carnival for a Cause, children’s games, a balloon artist, face painting, music and dancing, a warm-up led by celebrity fitness guru Billy Blanks Jr., and a pop-up Abilis Gardens & Gifts shop.
The morning kicks off at 8:30 am with a high-energy warm-up, followed by the 5k run at 9:00am a rendition of the National Anthem performed by Abilis community members (which promises to be extra special this year in honor of America’s upcoming 250th anniversary), an award ceremony, and another spirited warm-up with a dance party atmosphere before the family-friendly walk starts at 11:00am.
Proceeds from the 2025 Walk/Run for Abilis event will be used to enhance Abilis’ day program, which delivers life-skills training, job coaching and friendship-building activities tailored to each Abilis community member. State funding covers large group supports but not the individualized attention everyone deserves. Funds raised through the 20th anniversary Walk/Run for Abilis will help bridge that gap and ensure Abilis’ 800+ community members continue to thrive.
Special thanks to Diamond Sponsor DARCARS; Premiere Platinum Sponsor Holland & Knight; Gold Sponsor The Mahajan Family; Silver Sponsors The Custar Family, William Blair and an anonymous sponsor; Bronze Sponsor J. Dwyer Builders General Contractors; Partner Sponsors Shepard Insurance Group, Polisi | Jones, The First Bank of Greenwich, The Patchen Family, The Schlakman Family, NAAD, New England Total Landscaping; Media Sponsor Moffly Media; and Community Partnerships Happiness Is Catering Back Country Greenwich, Upper Crust Bagel Company, COBS Bread, Aloha, IronHealth, ACE Endico Fine Foods Purveyor & Distributor, Arcuri’s Pizza & Salad, Cups n’ Cones, Neri’s Bakery Products and Bimbo Bakeries USA. Organizations interested in sponsorship should contact Jen Flatow at [email protected] or 203‑531‑1880.
Abilis is a 501c3 non-profit organization that supports more than 800 individuals with disabilities and their families from birth throughout their lives. Founded in 1951, Abilis is a leader in providing meaningful supports to the community in Fairfield County, Connecticut, in towns including Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Ridgefield, Stamford, Westport and Wilton. The organization has a long-standing reputation for individualized, high-quality care. For more information, visit www.abilis.us, or follow on Facebook @Abilis, Inc., Instagram @abilis_us or Twitter @Abilis.