28 Mar ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH EIGHT LOCAL CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS County Helping to Raise Awareness for the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, the Arc of Essex County, Give the Kids Hope Foundation, Inc., the National MS Society, NJ Children’s Alliance, Stop for Nikhil and The Valerie Fund Event Participants are Offered Reduced Admission to Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex Attractions
Published on March 28, 2017
Essex County, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced on Monday, March 27th that Essex County was participating in eight special partnerships to increase awareness about and help raise funds for the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, the Arc of Essex County, Give the Kids Hope Foundation, Inc., the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the New Jersey Children Alliance, Stop for Nikhil and The Valerie Fund. DiVincenzo is inviting the public to come out and support the worthy causes of each organization. In addition, the Executive announced that participants from each event will receive reduced admission to the Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex on the day of their respective fund-raising events.
“Each of these well-respected organizations does a great deal to make a positive difference in and improve the quality of life for our residents. I invite the public to run, walk, golf or donate to help out these really great causes,” DiVincenzo said. “To say thank you to these organizations and the thousands of people who support them, we are offering reduced admission to Turtle Back Zoo, Codey Arena and the miniGOLF Safari for the people who participate in these events,” he added.
“Committed individuals like those gathered with us today can help change the world for the better. Through the creation of non-profit organizations, the federal government realized it needed help to resolve all of society’s problems,” Assembly Speaker Emeritus Sheila Oliver said.
“There are so many wonderful organizations here today. We all must pay attention to our health just as these groups are doing,” Freeholder Patricia Sebold said. “Our partners all deserve a round of applause for taking care of people in need,” Freeholder Len Luciano said.
“Our employees are dedicated to helping others and some have great connections to these organizations. But it’s not all about raising money. It’s an opportunity for our employees to get involved and enhances camaraderie among our workforce,” Essex County Administrator and Human Resources Director Robert Jackson said.
A description of the organizations and a schedule of their events are as follows:
The Arc of Essex County’s 19th Annual Building Tomorrows 5K Run, Family Walk and Fun Fest is Saturday, April 29th at the Clipper Pavilion in the Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex, the first time the event is being held there. The Arc of Essex County provides supportive services for people with developmental or intellectual disabilities. “Our event is integral to raise the funds we need to provide services. Over the last several years, participation in our event has grown, so we are excited to move to the South Mountain Complex,” Director of Communications Nancy Byrne said. For information and registration, visit www.runorwalk.org. It will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, April 29, 2017
Time: 8 a.m. Registration
9 a.m. 5K Run
11:30 a.m. Walk
12 Noon Fun Fest
Place: Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex
Watchung Avenue, Bloomfield
Grove Street, Montclair
The David Harris 2017 Invitational Golf Tournament benefits the Give the Kids Hope Foundation, Inc. and will be Monday, May 15th at the Green Brook Country Club in North Caldwell. Proceeds will be used to rejuvenate the outdoor recreation area at Camp Hope in West Milford with a new fire pit and landscaping where the children play volleyball and other outdoor activities, and support scholarships for children to attend Essex County Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange. “We are grateful for all the support Essex County provides. The county clearly cares about improving the quality of life for its residents,” Founder and Director Steve Tilton said. For information, visit GiveTheKidsHope.org. It will be held as follows:
Date: Monday, May 15, 2017
Time: 9:30 a.m. Registration
Place: Green Brook Country Club
100 Greenbrook Road
North Caldwell, NJ
Space is limited. Advanced registration is required to participate.
The Valerie Fund Walk and JAG Physical Therapy 5K Run is Saturday, June 10th in Essex County Verona Park. Proceeds will be used to support the comprehensive care of children with cancer and blood disorders. For more information on the Walk or 5K Run, visit TheValerieFund.org. A new special feature this year is refreshments provided by a variety of food trucks. “Thank you to the County Executive for allowing us to hold our program in Essex County Verona Park. Without the kind of support we have received from the County and community, we would not be able to afford to offer our programs,” Executive Director Barry Kirschner said. It will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, June 10, 2017
Time: Registration 7 a.m.
5k Race Starts 8:30 a.m.
Walk Starts at 10 a.m.
Place: Essex County Verona Park
Bloomfield Avenue
Verona, NJ
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society will host MuckFest MS in Essex County South Mountain Reservation on Saturday, June 24th and Sunday, June 25th. Participants navigate their way through a variety of military-style obstacles over a 5K course. Proceeds help provide programs and services to people living with multiple sclerosis in the Northeast area and drive cutting-edge research aimed at stopping MS. “As a resident of Essex County, it always is great to come here,” Chapter President Lisa Gallipoli said, adding that the funds raised help those with MS to live better lives. For information and registration, call 800-3-GoMuck or visit www.muckfest.com. It will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25, 2017
Time: 9 a.m.
Place: Essex County South Mountain Reservation
Intersection of Northfield Avenue and Cherry Lane
West Orange, NJ
The Nikhil Badlani Foundation will present the Stop for Nikhil 5K Run/Walk on Sunday, September 17th at West Orange High School. The 5K run is sanctioned by USATFNJ Grand Prix. The foundation is named for 11-year-old Nikhil Badlani, who was killed in a car accident in 2011 when the driver failed to stop at a Stop sign. Its mission is to enhance the lives of children through music lessons, scholarships for graduating high school seniors and traffic safety awareness and education. “Motor vehicle deaths are all preventable. Our Foundation is working to save lives by reducing motor vehicle accidents through education and awareness,” Founder Sangeet Badlani said. For more information, visit www.nikhilbadlanifoundation.org. It will be held as follows:
Date: Sunday, September 17, 2017
Time: 7 a.m. Registration
8:30 a.m. 5K Run
9:15 a.m. Awards Ceremony
10 a.m. 3K Walk
10:45 a.m. Kids Fun Run
Place: West Orange High School
51 Conforti Avenue
West Orange, NJ
The New Jersey Children’s Alliance will present the Heroes for Children 5K and Family Fun Run/Walk on Saturday, September 23rd at the Clipper Pavilion in the Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex. The event will promote public awareness about child abuse issues and increase knowledge about the services of local Children’s Advocacy Centers and Multidisciplinary Teams and the difference these services make in a child’s life. For more information, visit www.njcainc.org/heroes-for-children. “We encourage everyone to come out and be a hero so all abused children can have a bright future,” Chairwoman Nydia Monagas said. It will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, September 23, 2017
Time: 9 a.m. 5K Run
10 a.m. Family Fun Run/Walk
Place: Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex
Clipper Pavilion
Cherry Lane
West Orange, NJ
The American Cancer Society will present its Making Strides Against Breast Cancer on Sunday, October 15th at the Prudential Center in Newark. The walk helps raise awareness and funds to save lives from breast cancer. The event brings people together to make a difference for everyone who has been touched by breast cancer. The events raise money to fund innovative research, provide free information and support, and to help people reduce their breast cancer risk or find it early when it’s most treatable. Event Organizer Ana Campoverde said last year’s event attracted over 20,000 participants. It will be held as follows:
Date: Sunday, October 15, 2017
Time: Registration 8 a.m.
Walk 10 a.m.
Place: Prudential Center
25 Lafayette Street
Newark, NJ
The 2nd Annual Greater Northern NJ Heart Walk is Sunday, October 22nd at the Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex in West Orange, the first time the event will be held there. This event attracts businesses and residents from Essex, Morris, Somerset, Union and Warren Counties. Proceeds will be used to raise awareness and support prevention of cardiovascular disease and stroke. For participants ages 5-12, there will be a Kids Heart Challenge. “Essex County has been a long-time partner with us and we look forward to Essex County’s team participating every year,” Chairwoman Ametra Burton said. For more information on the Heart Walk, visit www.greaterNNJheartwalk.org. It will be held as follows:
Date: Sunday, October 22, 2017
Time: Registration 8 a.m.
Kids Heart Challenge 9:30 a.m.
Walk 10 a.m.
Place: Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex
Cherry Lane
West Orange, NJ
Participants in these events can receive $5 admission to Turtle Back Zoo, Codey Arena and the miniGOLF Safari in West Orange. The reduced admission is available on event days and participants must bring their race bib or proof of registration to receive the discount.