The Regional Access and Mobilization Project (RAMP) raised more than $16,000 at its third annual Wheel-A-Thon, held Saturday near Molly’s Eatery and Drinkery, 1022 W. Lincoln Highway.

The purpose and goal for RAMP was to raise money for the disabled. The money will go to provide services for the people who seek out RAMP’s services.

The Wheel-A-Thon is a 1.8-mile trek during which participants can walk or use a wheelchair on a course that travels around NIU.

“This is a good thing here, it’s good publicity and awareness,” said Rob Boross, a representative from Toastmasters, one of the teams at the event.

About 75 participants raised money both individually and as teams. Even more showed up just to volunteer their time at the event.

“We raised a lot of money,” said Melissa Yerk, RAMP services manager. “We were shooting for $16,000 and we surpassed that, so we we’re happy.”

The $16,000 raised at this year’s Wheel-A-Thon is significantly higher than last year’s total, $11,000. The teams that participated in the event included UPS, Toastmasters and various other organizations. The Toastmasters team won the award for the most spirited team.

“The teams involved were great,” Yerk said.

Local business also donated toward the event.

“The largest sponsors were NIU, Bridges of RiverMist, B95 and Park Eighty Eight,” said Sal Bonanno, director of development for The Bridges of RiverMist. “We had a lot of great people making donations this year.”

Prizes were given away in the form of gift certificates to the participants that raised larger amounts of money.

“The event was a success; we had a really great day,” Yerk said. “We had great groups participating, great people volunteering their time and it was just a good day overall.”