Call for nominations: Wheelchair-donating nonprofit seeks inspirational athletes

Do you know any endurance community members who strive to accomplish their goals no matter the difficulty or distance? If so, nominate them for the 5th Annual AIM High Endurance Awards. The awards will recognize these awesome locals while raising funds for Alternatives in Motion, a nonprofit which creates access to wheelchairs and independence for those in financial need.

Nominations are open until the end of September and celebrate individuals from each of these categories:

• Moving People Forward Award: For a mobility equipment user who demonstrates strength and endurance while motivating and encouraging others to reach their full potential.

• Individual Accomplishment Award: For a person who perseveres while accomplishing and surpassing his or her goals in endurance sports.

• Inspiration Award: For a person who inspires the endurance community through his or her efforts.

• Lifetime Contribution Award: For a person who has contributed to the endurance community for many years.  

• Corporate Dedication Award: For a business (large or small) that promotes or supports endurance sports in a significant way.

During the event, The West Michigan Endurance Challenge Award will be presented to any athlete who completes, in a single year, an event from each of these categories:

• The Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon OR the Last Chance BQ.2 Marathon

• The Fifth Third River Bank Run 25k OR the 80 mi MSU Gran Fondo

• A half-iron or full-iron distance triathlon at the Grand Rapids Triathlon OR the MiTitanium.

At last year’s event, 34 athletes completed their goals and won this award.

As a result of this event and the generous donations raised through it, last year, Alternatives in Motion helped 148 individuals and families in financial need gain access to the correct mobility equipment and repair services.

Written by AIM intern, Juliana Ludema.