In 2019, Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse (Mayo) provided financial support to programs and initiatives that benefitted people with cognitive or physical disabilities, especially children, through its Inclusive Health and Recreation Awards. Community members from Mayo’s service area were invited to submit their requests to receive full or partial funding. 
"It can be challenging for individuals with disabilities to be as physically and socially active as they desire," says Teri Wildt, director of Community Engagement at Mayo Clinic Health System for Southwest Wisconsin. "In making these funds available, we hope to promote greater engagement of all people in our communities. We want health and well-being to be attainable for everyone."
Mayo Clinic Health System announced awards to 13 organizations, totaling $195,000 in funds ranging from $500 to $70,000. 
"All the proposals we received were impressive. In the end, 13 received either full or partial funding," Wildt says. "We were really pleased with the different types of proposals funded, including requests to expand adaptive sports and recreation programs, provide adaptive equipment, create a new pasture to support a riding program, install a new low-profile launch pier for paddled watercraft, and equipment for new inclusive playgrounds across the region."