Adaptive Sports Northwest Hosts ‘Get in the Game’ Fundraiser at Mittleman Community Center

Adaptive Sports Northwest Hosts ‘Get in the Game’ Fundraiser in Portland

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) – The Mittleman Community Center in southwest Portland was buzzing with excitement as Adaptive Sports Northwest hosted their ‘Get in the Game’ community-building fundraiser on Saturday. The event aimed to raise awareness and support for physically and visually impaired individuals looking to stay active and involved in sports.

Adaptive Sports Northwest has been a pillar in the community for over four decades, providing opportunities for individuals like Evita Rush to participate in various adaptive sports. Rush, an athlete with ASNW, expressed her gratitude for the inclusive and supportive environment the organization has created. She shared, “A night like this is beautiful I mean, being in this community and being around like-minded people and people we share lived experiences.”

From wheelchair basketball to sitting volleyball, power soccer, pickleball, track events, swimming, and goalball, attendees had the chance to try out different adaptive sports and learn new skills. Jen Armbruster, the executive director of Adaptive Sports Northwest and a four-time Paralympic medalist, highlighted the organization’s growth, stating, “We’ve almost increased almost 33% since last year, which is great. We’re above pre-COVID numbers now so we are back to where we were and a little bit more.”

The goal of ASNW is to promote self-confidence, socialization, and independence through sports, as emphasized by athlete Griffin Barlow. Barlow shared, “[We’re] just another average human being, basically, we’re people just trying to survive and make friends and getting love and support.”

Adaptive Sports Northwest offers clinics, practices, and tournaments for individuals at all skill levels. Katie Alford, a participant, encouraged others to get involved, stating, “I encourage people to definitely do it. It’ll be scary, it was scary when I first started but I’m glad, I’m more than grateful.”

As the event came to a close, the message was clear – Adaptive Sports Northwest is a community that welcomes everyone with open arms, providing opportunities for growth, connection, and empowerment. To learn more about how you can support ASNW, visit their website.