A.V. MEN TO LEAD FUNDRAISER WALK PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE EASTER SEALS.

Byline: KAREN MAESHIRO

Staff Writer

Two Antelope Valley men will help lead the annual Easter Seals fundraising walk Saturday to support people with disabilities such as autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy.

Roy Fye, 57, of Lancaster and Carlos Villasenor, 32, of Palmdale were picked to be honorary ambassadors because of the level of independence they have attained through Easter Seals services.

"It was mainly because they both achieved a level of success with their relationship to Easter Seals," Easter Seals spokeswoman Marianne Tomich said. "They have grown in terms of what they are capable of in their own lives."

Fye and Villasenor are two of 10 ambassadors who will lead walkers in the sixth annual "Walk With Me" fundraiser at 9a.m. Saturday at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park. "It's a great honor," Fye said of being chosen an ambassador. "I like taking the message of Easter Seals out to the public."

Born with a mild learning disability, Fye suffered a brain injury at age 22 while working at a construction site.

He now volunteers in the community and has developed a talent for painting.

He brought his art into the Lancaster Easter Seals office last fall and was inundated with requests to purchase his work. He has since sold four paintings.

"Because of Roy's cognitive disability and injury, he has never been able to master reading or writing, but in recent years he has developed a talent for painting landscapes," said Michelle McKnight, director of Lancaster Adult Day Services.

Several of Fye's paintings are exhibited online at the Easter Seals Southern California Web site at www.SouthernCal.EasterSeals.com.

"I feel pretty good because it's the first time I've been an ambassador," said Villasenor, who has a learning disability and moderate cerebral palsy. "Easter Seals helped me get a job."

Villasenor first started out part time at the Palmdale Home Depot in April 2005. Easter Seals provided him with a job coach who helped him learn job skills.

In May 2006, Villasenor transferred to the Lancaster Home Depot to a full-time position as a sales associate in the garden department, where he watered the plants and helped customers.

Four months later, Villasenor received a customer service award from Home Depot and a $1,000 check.

For Saturday's event, walkers are encouraged to register at www.walkwithme.org and use the online tools to raise money.

Walkers who raise $300 get to spend the entire day at Knott's Berry Farm for free. Day-of-event registration opens at 8 a.m.

Refreshments, music and entertainment will be offered. The first 100 kids at the walk receive a free pair of Snoopy ears. Following the walk, all participants can go to Knott's Berry Farm at a discount. For more information, contact Bonita Carr at [phone], Ext. 235.

Easter Seals Southern California provides disability services to 3,500 individuals a year with autism, developmental disabilities, physical and mental disabilities, and other special needs.

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If you go

The "Walk With Me" fundraiser for Easter Seals begins at 9 a.m. Saturday at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park. Register at www.walkwithme.org or day-of-event registration opens at 8 a.m. For more information, contact Bonita Carr at [phone], Ext. 235.

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