CareSource Bayou Health Collaborates with Three Nonprofits to Reveal Custom Costumes for Children with Disabilities at NCAA Basketball Houston Event

Nonprofit celebrated Bee Abled, Easter Seals Greater Houston’s Caroline School and Walkin’ & Rollin’ Costumes with surprise $100,000 halftime showcase donations Dec. 16.

HOUSTON (Dec. 19, 2023) – CareSource Bayou Health, a joint venture between Legacy Community Health and nonprofit managed care organization CareSource, participated in this year’s NCAA Basketball Houston Showcase at the Toyota Center Saturday, Dec. 16 in partnership with three impactful nonprofit organizations – Bee Abled, Easter Seals Greater Houston's Caroline School and Walkin’ & Rollin’ Costumes. During CareSource Bayou Health’s Community Impact Halftime Showcase, four children took center stage, unveiling university-inspired costumes for their wheelchairs crafted by Walkin’ & Rollin’ Costumes. The showcase concluded with surprise contributions totaling $100,000 on behalf of CareSource Bayou Health to aid and raise awareness around Houston’s adaptive community.

“We are excited to support Bee Abled, Easter Seals Greater Houston’s Caroline School and Walkin’ & Rollin’ in each of their missions,” said Jason Neerman, Vice President of Business Development, CareSource Bayou Health. “These organizations are making a tangible impact on our community, helping Houstonians in need access resources and the tools necessary to thrive. CareSource Bayou Health is proud to work alongside each nonprofit, and we look forward to continuing to invest in important local projects, uplifting our partners and working towards a more healthy and inclusive community for all.”

While four prominent collegiate brands in Southeast Texas battled on the court, four superfans nominated by Bee Abled and Easter Seals Greater Houston, stole the spotlight, debuting creative wheelchair costumes inspired by each university – Anabel Edwards, age 12, represented University of Texas; Robert Ryan, age 8, Louisiana State University; Avery Reilly, age 15, Texas A&M and Oliver Carrillo, age 7, University of Houston.

“Walkin’ & Rollin’ Costumes was honored to be a part of this event with Easter Seals, Bee Abled, and CareSource Bayou Health. We enjoyed creating the costumes and meeting with the families to make a special experience for these four superfans,” said Lon Davis, Co-Founder and Creative Designer, Walkin’ & Rollin’ Costumes. “The relationship we have had with CareSource over the past year has been a very impactful experience in the community and we look forward to continuing the relationship for years to come.”

To celebrate the incredible work of each organization, CareSource Bayou Health's surprise strategic investments amounting to $100,000 will help serve hundreds of Houstonians facing disabilities. Notable contributions include:

• Walkin’ & Rollin’ received $25,000 to continue their work building custom costumes for children in walkers and wheelchairs all over the country.
• Bee Abled was awarded $25,000 to further their mission of supporting athletes with disabilities (AWD) and their loved ones.
• Easter Seals Greater Houston’s Caroline School received a $50,000 investment to help provide unique educational services to meet the physical, social and cognitive needs of individuals ages 18 months to 21 years old with multiple disabilities.

“We are so appreciative of this meaningful gift of inclusivity during this holiday season. Easter Seals Greater Houston is grateful for the CareSource partnership and to have been invited to participate in this extraordinary event,” said Elise Hough, CEO, Easter Seals Greater Houston. “Many of our clients live below the poverty level and would never be able to afford a day like this for their families. From students at The Caroline School to Veterans in our Mental Health Program – all were excited to participate. Even more amazing was the $50,000 contribution to Easter Seals’ Caroline School, allowing for low-income families with children with severe disabilities to receive scholarship funding.”

“Thank you so much CareSource Bayou Health for bringing awareness of the adaptive community during the CareSource Bayou Health Community Impact Halftime Showcase,” said Gloria Suarez, Founder & Executive Director, Bee Abled. “Your generosity means everything to our Bee Abled members and the community we serve. It was quite the surprise!”

To learn more about CareSource Bayou Health, please visit caresourcebayouhealth.com.