North Canton YMCA's Walk-n-Roll Raises Money for Good Cause

Exercise is good but exercise for a good cause — well, that’s even better.

And the participants and volunteers who turned up for the second annual this past Sunday proved that's true.

This event is the only "walk-only" event in the Subway Challenge Series. Proceeds from the event benefit the North Canton Y’s Physically Challenged Program, a free program for any adult with a physical disability. 

Some may know the Walk-n-Roll as the Boss Hoover Walk. The Boss Hoover Walk took place for 26 years before the name was changed to Walk-n-Roll as part of the Subway Challenge Series. 

Shawn Wise, the wellness director at the North Canton Y, said it made sense to combine their annual walk with Subway’s walk-only event. It now attracts more people and is a bigger event, he said.

While the event takes about six months of preparation, Wise loves that the Walk-n-Roll allows people to have fun for a good cause.

“Even though it’s a competition, it’s so laid back,” he said. “Everyone is relaxed and enjoying themselves.”

Most importantly, the event brings attention to physical disability.

“It’s great to see some of my clients out here and all the people that support them,” said Cathie Benko, a volunteer at the event and also a sales representative for Mobility Works, one of the sponsors of the event.

“It’s a positive, upbeat event, and it brings a lot of recognition to the cause,” she said.

Benko also said Northeastern Ohio has one of the largest populations of people with Multiple Sclerosis, and half of the clients at Mobility Works have MS.

What makes this event unique is the fact that participants can choose to be timed and compete in the Subway Challenge by walking three laps around the Walsh track and continue down the Hoover Park connector trail, or they can walk the Walsh track without being timed, said Terri Pollock, senior and special populations director at the North Canton Y.

Some people just want to take their time, and some participate in their wheelchairs, she said.

“One lady walked around the track one time and was so proud of herself,” Pollock said.

Pollock teaches the North Canton Y’s Physically Challenged Program held every Tuesday and Thursday from 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. 

The class is designed to meet the needs of adults with physical disabilities by doing light cardiovascular and strengthening work done at your own level. Exercises can be done sitting or standing and the classroom is handicap accessible.

“The emotional and social aspect of exercise is every bit as important as the physical,” Pollock said. 

The North Canton Y is able to offer this class free because of United Way funding and donations, but the biggest funding is from the annual Walk-n-Roll.

Kim Kosunick, the first woman and second walker to cross the finish line at this year's Walk-n-Roll, loves this event because she is able to be outside in nature while helping the Y’s disability program.

“Growing up, the North Canton YMCA was like my second home,” she said. “It’s nice to give back.”

Community involvement is important for events such as this, but the Walk-n-Roll wouldn't be possible without its sponsors: Mobility Works, , North Canton Rotary and the Stark County Park District.

For more information on the Physically Challenged Program, contact Sue Pollock.