14 Apr ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS County Helping to Raise Awareness for the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, the Arc of Essex County, The Valerie Fund, Arthritis Foundation, NJ Children’s Alliance, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center’s NICU, RWJBarnabas Health, Stop for Nikhil and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Event Participants are Offered Reduced Admission to Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex Attractions
Published on April 14, 2023
Essex County, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced on Thursday, April 13th that Essex County was participating in 10 special partnerships to increase awareness about and help raise funds for the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, the Arc of Essex County, the New Jersey Children’s Alliance, Stop for Nikhil, The Valerie Fund, the Arthritis Foundation, the Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center’s NICU, RWJBarnabas Health and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. 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 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.
“I want to thank these organizations for the work they do. And I thank the County Executive for supporting these groups because of the great impact their work has on our community,” Commissioner Len Luciano said. “It’s important that we all do our part to support these organizations because of the awareness they bring and work they do on behalf of their causes,” Commissioner Patricia Sebold said.
“These events are not only good for promoting physical fitness, but they also promote mental health,” Sheriff Armando Fontoura said.
A description of the organizations and a schedule of their events are as follows:
The 25th Annual Arc of Essex County’s 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 Arc of Essex County provides supportive services for people with developmental or intellectual disabilities. For information and registration, visit www.runorwalk.org. It will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, April 29, 2023
Time: 8 a.m. Registration
9 a.m. 5K Run
10:15 a.m. Family Walk
10:30 a.m. to 12 noon Fun Fest
Place: Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex
Clipper Pavilion
Cherry Lane
West Orange, NJ
Great Strides is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s largest national fundraising event and will be held on Saturday, May 20th in Essex County Verona Park. The mission of the foundation is to cure cystic fibrosis and raise awareness about this rare, genetic, life-shortening disease that makes it difficult to breathe and shortens lives. Proceeds from the event help accelerate innovative research and drug development, as well as advance care and advocacy. Registration is free, but walkers are encouraged to raise funds. For more information, visit www.fightcf.cff.org. It will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, May 20, 2023
Time: 10 a.m. Registration
11 a.m. 3-mile Walk
Place: Essex County Verona Park
Bloomfield Avenue and Lakeside Avenue
Verona, NJ
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/Walk2023/. It will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, June 10, 2023
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 Arthritis Foundation’s Walk to Cure Arthritis is Sunday, June 11th at the Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex. The Arthritis Foundation helps conquer everyday battles through life-changing information and resources, access to optimal care, advancements in science and community connections. For more information, visit www.arthritis.org. It will be held as follows:
Date: Sunday, June 11, 2023
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Place: Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex
Cherry Lane
West Orange, NJ
The Nikhil Badlani Foundation will present the Stop for Nikhil 5K Run/3K Walk on Sunday, September 24th 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. For more information, visit www.nikhilbadlanifoundation.org. It will be held as follows:
Date: Sunday, September 24, 2023
Time: 8 a.m. Registration
8:45 a.m. Ceremony
9:30 a.m. 5K Run
9:45 a.m. 3K Walk
Place: West Orange High School
51 Conforti Avenue
West Orange, NJ
The 19th Annual Miracle Walk to benefit the Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is Sunday, October 8th in Essex County Verona Park. The walk features family-friendly activities, refreshments and entertainment including a DJ, face painters, balloon artists, characters and more. Proceeds help the medical center purchase state-of-the-art equipment for the NICU, which provides specialized care for New Jersey’s smallest and sickest babies. Some patients spend the first several months of their lives under constant care in the NICU. For more information, visit miraclewalk.com or call 973-322-4320. It will be held as follows:
Date: Sunday, October 8, 2023
Time: 9 a.m.
Place: Essex County Verona Park
Bloomfield Avenue
Verona, NJ
The Annual Greater Northern NJ Heart Walk is Saturday, October 14th at the Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex in West Orange. 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. It will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, October 14, 2023
Time: Registration 8 a.m.
Walk 9:30 a.m.
Place: Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex
Cherry Lane
West Orange, NJ
The American Cancer Society will present its Making Strides Against Breast Cancer on Sunday, October 15th in Mulberry Commons Park 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. For information, visit www.MakingStridesWalk.org/NewarkNJ. It will be held as follows:
Date: Sunday, October 15, 2023
Time: Registration 8 a.m.
Walk 10 a.m.
Place: Mulberry Commons Park
Lafayette Street
Newark, NJ
The New Jersey Children’s Alliance will present the Heroes for Children 5K and Family Fun Run/Walk on Saturday, October 21st 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. It will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, October 21, 2023
Time: 9 a.m.
Place: Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex
Clipper Pavilion
Cherry Lane
West Orange, NJ
RWJBarnabas Health and the New Jersey Devils are teaming up to support the health of New Jersey’s diverse population with the Running with the Devils 5K Run and Family Fun Walk. Proceeds from the event will benefit programs and services at RWJBarnabas Health’s 11 hospital facilities as well as hospice initiatives. This event, featuring a 5K USATF certified race and a family fun walk, brings together participants from across the state and supports the collective commitment of RWJBarnabas Health and the New Jersey Devils to build stronger communities by promoting healthy, active lifestyles and world-class healthcare. The day will feature special appearances by the New Jersey Devils mascot and street team, medals for all participants, awards and more. RWJBarnabas Health is the official healthcare provider of the New Jersey Devils. It will be held as follows:
Date: Sunday, October 29, 2023
Time: 8 a.m.
Place: Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex
and Essex County Turtle Back Zoo
560 Northfield Avenue
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.