31 Mar ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH EIGHT LOCAL CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS County Helping to Raise Awareness for the American Heart Association Greater Northern New Jersey Heart Walk, the Arc of Essex County, Give the Kids Hope Foundation, Inc., the National MS Society, NJ Children’s Alliance Heroes for Children 5K Race, Susan G. Komen North Jersey Race for the Cure, The Valerie Fund and Walk for Nikhil Event Participants are Offered Reduced Admission to Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex Attractions
Published on March 31, 2016
Essex County, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced on Thursday, March 31st that Essex County was participating in eight special partnerships to increase awareness about and help raise funds for the American Heart Association Greater Northern New Jersey Heart Walk, the Arc of Essex County, Give the Kids Hope Foundation, Inc., the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, New Jersey Children Alliance Heroes for Children 5K Race, Susan G. Komen North Jersey Race for the Cure, The Valerie Fund and the Stop for Nikhil. 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. “As a way 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.
Government officials gathered to show their support of the eight organizations.
“Non-profit organizations contribute millions of dollars solving problems, helping fundraising efforts and supporting families. It is wonderful that we have so many partners to working with us,” Assembly Speaker Emeritus Sheila Oliver said.
“I applaud the County Executive for caring about all the residents of Essex County and for bringing all these organizations together to show that Essex County Cares,” Freeholder Patricia Sebold said.
“Our mission is very simple – to keep everyone safe when they are coming to these events, while they are here and as they go home. Our officers not only excel at that, but we pitch in to support their goals and initiatives,” Sheriff Armando Fontoura said.
“Essex County employees take their public service very seriously, but we also go above and beyond to help organizations and people in the community. That’s what you are seeing here today,” Essex County Human Resources Deputy Director Robert Jackson said.
A description of the organizations and a schedule of their events are as follows:
The Arc of Essex County’s 18th Annual Building Tomorrows 5K Run, 2 Mile Walk and Family Fun Fest is Saturday, April 16th in Essex County Brookdale Park. The Arc of Essex County provides supportive services for people with developmental or intellectual disabilities. “Our organization strives to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. We are really looking forward to fundraising and raising awareness during a great event in a beautiful park,” said The Arc Director of Communications Nancy Whitman. For information and registration, visit www.runorwalk.org. It will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, April 16, 201
Time: 8 a.m. Registration
9 a.m. 5K Run
11:30 a.m. 2-Mile Walk
12 Noon Family Fun Fest
Place: Essex County Brookdale Park
Watchung Avenue, Bloomfield
Grove Street, Montclair
The 9th Annual Susan G. Komen North Jersey Race for the Cure is Sunday, May 1st in the Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex. The organization raises funds for breast cancer research and treatment. The 5K run is certified by the USATF. “We’ve had a wonderful and long partnership with Essex County and the location at the South Mountain Recreation Complex has been great. Our event is important because it’s the largest fundraising event we do all year,” Komen North Jersey Executive Director Kelly Witkowski said. For more information about the event, visit KomenNorthJersey.org. It will be held as follows:
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2016
Time: 6:30 a.m. Registration
7:30 a.m. 5K Run Start
8:30 a.m. Kids for the Cure Color Run
10 a.m. 5K Walk and 1.5 Fun Run Start
Place: Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex
560 Northfield Avenue
West Orange, NJ
The 7th Annual David Harris Invitational Golf Tournament benefits the Give the Kids Hope Foundation, Inc. and will be Monday, May 16th at the Green Brook Country Club in North Caldwell. Proceeds will be used to build a new spray park pavilion to offer campers shelter when they need a break from the sun or step out of the rain, provide recreational and educational opportunities for underprivileged children, and support scholarships for children to attend Essex County Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange. “I want to thank the County Executive and Freeholders for their deep commitment to the community and their commitment to continually improve the community. Together we are improving the lives of children in a profound way,” Give the Kids Hope Foundation President and Founder Steve Tilton said. For more information, visit GiveTheKidsHope.org. It will be held as follows:
Date: Monday, May 16, 2016
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 11th 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. “What we do at the Valerie Fund and the successful event we host in Verona Park could not happen with Essex County’s support. Everyone talks about wanting to come back year after year because of the improvements made to the park,” Valerie Fund Executive Director Barry Kirschner said. It will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, June 11, 2016
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 25th and Sunday, June 26th. Participants have to 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. “It’s a pleasure to come to event like this because we are all making such an impact to improve our community and our quality of life,” MS Chapter President Lisa Gallipoli said. For information and registration, call 800-3-GoMuck or visit www.muckfestMS.com. It will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26, 2016
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 Run/Walk on Sunday, September 18th at West Orange High School. 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. “I made a promise after my son’s tragic accident that I would not allow him to become just another statistic. In his honor, we created a pledge for all drivers to follow – stay alert, learn traffic safety rules, plan ahead and come to a complete stop at Stop signs,” Foundation founder Sangeeta Badlani said. For more information, visit www.nikhilbadlanifoundation.org. It will be held as follows:
Date: Sunday, September 18, 2016
Time: 7:30 a.m. Registration
8:45 a.m. 5K Run
9:45 a.m. 3K Walk
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, October 1st 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. “Our goal is to give a voice to victimized children and we invite the public in being a hero for our children,” saide Nydia Monagas from the NJCA. For more information, visit www.njcainc.org/heroes-for-children. It will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, October 1, 2016
Time: 9:30 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 Heart Association Greater Northern New Jersey Heart Walk is Sunday, October 23rd at the ADP campus in Roseland. Proceeds will be used to raise awareness and support prevention of cardiovascular disease and stroke. For more information on the Heart Walk, visit www.greaterNNJheartwalk.org. “This is a milestone year for us because our organization has merged with other chapters from Union and Morris County to become the Greater Northern New Jersey Chapter,” said Ametra Burton from the Heart Association. It will be held as follows:
Date: Sunday, October 23, 2016
Time: Registration 8:30 a.m.
Walk 10 a.m.
Place: ADP Campus
1 ADP Boulevard
Roseland, NJ
Participants in these charity events can receive $5 admission to Turtle Back Zoo, Codey Arena and the miniGOLF Safari in West Orange. The reduced admission is available only on event days and participants must bring their race bib or proof of registration to receive the discount.