PIERCE COLLEGE : 200 Participate in Walkathon

More than 200 people of all ages walked through the Pierce College campus last Sunday morning, raising about $5,000 in pledges for the second annual Los Angeles Learning Disabilities Walkathon.

In addition to the amount raised by individual and team walkers, numerous corporate sponsors of the walkathon donated about $10,000 to aid the learning disabled, said attorney Larry J. Hanna, chairman of the event.

The funds, which will be distributed to the Los Angeles chapters of the Learning Disabilities Assn. of California and the Orton Dyslexia Society, will be used mainly to run support groups.

An estimated 10 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with learning disabilities, but an estimated 15 million others have not, Hanna said.

In addition to the walkathon, representatives from about 50 schools and other organizations that serve the learning disabled gave out information about learning disabilities, how to get tested and what kinds of services are available.

Prizes and gift certificates donated by dozens of local and out-of-state businesses were given to walkers and volunteers.

The United Teachers of Los Angeles won first place as the team that raised the most money. The UTLA team raised $910 in pledges and donated its $100 prize back to the walkathon.

Ten-year-old Steven Schyman, who won first prize for raising the largest sum of money, received six Disney World tickets, two round-trip airline tickets to Florida and hotel accommodations in Orlando.

Schyman said it took him and his brother, Eric, about two months to raise the $1,455 in pledges from businesses, family and friends.