Local DISABILITY Resource Expo proudly announces Thrivent Financial East Central Illinois Group as Featured Sponsor of the 15th annual event
Annual DISABILITY Resource Expo partners with local financial institution to provide a better quality of life for people with disabilities in Champaign County and surrounding communities
September 8, 2024-(Urbana, IL)—The 15th Annual DISABILITY Resource Expo: Reaching Out for Answers is scheduled for Saturday, October 26th from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Market Place Mall, 2000 N. Neil Street, Champaign, IL 61820. It is FREE to attend.
“We could not be prouder to announce Thrivent Financial East Central Illinois Group as the featured sponsor of our 15th annual Expo. Thrivent has been a strong and loyal supporter of the Expo since 2015. The financial institution provides guidance on estate planning and establishing special needs trusts for those with disabilities. By highlighting Thrivent as our featured sponsor, we hope to not only thank the organization for its years of loyalty, but to also show the community how thinking ahead and planning for the future can lead to a great quality of life for people with disabilities,” said Allison Boot, DISABILITY Resource Expo Co-Coordinator.
As always, the Expo is free and open to the public; all residents of East Central Illinois are encouraged and welcome to attend. Up to 80 exhibitors will share information and answer questions regarding resources available to enhance the lives of people with disabilities. Exhibitors will be able to give attendees guidance on everything from educational options to legal support. A face painter and children’s activity bags with fidgets and bookmarks will make this year’s event family friendly and fun for all ages.
“My Co-Coordinator and I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Thrivent East Central Illinois Group for supporting the Expo and more importantly for the services Thrivent provides to local communities. Thinking about and planning for the future can be scary for anyone. It can be especially scary for those with disabilities and their families because of how expensive it is to live with a disability. Thrivent is well-versed in the cost of living with a disability and can provide people with disabilities and their families guidance as to how to prepare for and ensure that they are financially secure in the future,” said Boot.
Each year steps are taken to ensure that any resident of Champaign County or surrounding communities can enjoy a worry-free day at the Expo. Market Place Mall will serve as the Expo venue for the third year in a row because the location is very accessible. A limited number of wheelchairs and walkers will be available for those who need them at the event to rent at no cost. Alternative formats for exhibitor’s written materials such as large print, various digital media and Braille will also be available upon request. Lastly, additional wheelchair accessible parking will be added to the mall parking lot on the day of the Expo.
This year is the 15th annual Expo, so those behind the Expo wanted to do a couple of things to make the event extra special for members of the community as well as exhibitors. To that end, an adaptive fashion show featuring residents of East Central Illinois communities with different types of disabilities and conditions wearing various types of fashions adapted with things like Velcro or snaps will be held outside of Macy’s from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. the day of the Expo. Furthermore, a networking hour for exhibitors will be held at Market Place Mall the day of the Expo prior to the mall opening for attendees.
The Expo has the generous support of Thrivent East Central Illinois Group and various other sponsors this year but could always benefit from additional support. If you are interested in supporting the 2024 DISABILITY Resource Expo, please email Allison Boot at [email protected]. You can also schedule an interview or photo opportunity for the day of the Expo by sending an email or calling 217-722-5281. For more information, visit http://www.disabilityresourceexpo.org.
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