23 Apr ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH SEVEN LOCAL CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS
Published on April 23, 2015
County Helping to Raise Awareness for The Valerie Fund, Susan G. Komen North Jersey Race for the Cure, the National MS Society, Run for Rachel/Rachel Coalition, Give the Kids Hope Foundation, Inc., The American Heart Association Heart Walk and The Arc of Essex County Event Participants are Offered Reduced Admission to Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex Attractions
Essex County, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced on Thursday, April 23rd that Essex County was participating in seven special partnerships to increase awareness about and help raise funds for the Susan G. Komen North Jersey Race for the Cure, The Valerie Fund, the Run for Rachel/Rachel Coalition, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Give the Kids Hope Foundation, Inc., The American Heart Association Heart Walk and The Arc of Essex County. 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.
“Look at the beautiful open spaces throughout Essex County. We have these spectacular parks because of Joe DiVincenzo. As a result, we have so many groups that want to come here and host their events so they can help other people,” Freeholder Patricia Sebold said.
“I am inspired by how involved Essex County is involved in all these positive programs to build bridges to help those in need,” Essex County Deputy Chief of Staff William Payne said.
“Essex County employees are always supportive of these events, and we raise money to support them the old fashioned way – through bake and candy sales, and raffles. We always have a large team and that’s because our employees really do care. These organizations are providing services that benefit our residents,” said Essex County Deputy County Administrator and Human Resources Director Alan Abramowitz.
A description of the organizations and a schedule of their events are as follows:
The Arc of Essex County’s 17th Annual Building Tomorrows 5K Run, 2 Mile Walk and Family Fun Fest is Saturday, April 25th in Essex County Brookdale Park. The 5K Run is sanctioned by the USATF and grand prix points will be awarded. The Arc of Essex County provides supportive services for people with developmental or intellectual disabilities. “Our event supports a variety of services and support programs, adult day centers, camp activities and respite programs,” Nancy Whitman, Director of Communications for The Arc of Essex County, said. “We invite the public to participate in our 5K Run, 2-mile walk and Family Fun Fest, which includes an adaptive play area, cooking demonstrations and other family-friendly events,” she added. For information and registration, visit www.runorwalk.org. It will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2015
Time: Registration 8 a.m.
5K Run 9 a.m.
2-Mile Walk 11:30 a.m.
Family Fun Fest 12 Noon
Place: Essex County Brookdale Park
Watchung Avenue, Bloomfield
Grove Street, Montclair
The 8th Annual Susan G. Komen North Jersey Race for the Cure is Sunday, May 3rd 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. “Non-profits do a lot of life saving work and, for us to be successful, we need partnerships,” Ed Remsen, Interim Executive Director of the Susan Komen North Jersey Chapter said. “Our relationship with Essex County is special and the support we receive from their fund-raising efforts is extraordinary,” he noted. For more information about the event, visit KomenNorthJersey.org or call 908-277-2904, Ext. 10 or 17. It will be held as follows:
Date: Sunday, May 3, 2015
Time: Registration 6:30 a.m.
5K Run Start 7:30 a.m.
Walk and 1.5 Fun Run Start 10 a.m.
Place: Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex
560 Northfield Avenue
West Orange, NJ
The 6th Annual David Harris Invitational Golf Tournament benefits the Give the Kids Hope Foundation, Inc. and will be Thursday, May 14th at the Green Brook Country Club in North Caldwell. Proceeds will be used to renovate an indoor recreation center at Camp Hope in West Milford, provide recreational and educational opportunities for underprivileged children, and support scholarships for children to attend Essex County Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange. “Essex County does a great job enhancing the quality of life for its residents,” said Stephen Tilton, founder and Executive Director of the Give the Kids Hope Foundation. “I am pleased to announce that we will be contributing $10,000 to support educational programming at the new Turtle Back Zoo Education Building. It is a great asset to the Zoo and we hope that through this support we can provide educational experiences for more children,” he noted. For more information, visit GiveTheKidsHope.org or call 973-256-1065. It will be held as follows:
Date: Thursday, May 14, 2015
Time: Registration 9:30 a.m.
Place: Green Brook Country Club
100 Greenbrook Road
North Caldwell, NJ
Space is limited. Advanced registration is required to participate.
The Rachel Coalition’s Run for Rachel is Sunday, May 17th at the Livingston Memorial Oval. Proceeds will be used to raise awareness about and prevent domestic violence. Now in its 15th year, this event features a 5K run and 1 mile fun run/walk. This year, the Run for Rachel is a USATF certified 5K race. “We want to thank Joe DiVincenzo and Essex County for giving us this opportunity to promote our event,” Run for Rachel Co-Chair Sherry Wilson said. “The run is our signature event to increase awareness about domestic violence prevention. We look forward to the public joining us at the finish line to end domestic abuse,” she added. For information and registration, contact 908-902-8587 or mzrace@oymp.net or visit www.rachelcoalition.org. It will be held as follows:
Date: Sunday, May 17, 2015
Time: Registration 7:45 a.m.
5K Run 9:30 a.m.
1 mile Fun Run/Walk 10:15 a.m.
Place: Livingston Memorial Oval
Livingston Avenue
Livingston, NJ
The Valerie Fund Walk and JAG Physical Therapy 5K Run is Saturday, June 13th in Essex County Verona Park. Proceeds will be used to support the comprehensive care of children with cancer and blood disorders. Valerie Fund Executive Director Barry Kirschner said the fund supports seven centers in New Jersey and New York and provides care for over 4,000 children. “We stand for children fighting cancer and appreciate all the support that Essex County and the public gives us for this cause,” he said. For more information on the Walk or 5K Run, visit TheValerieFund.org or call 973-761-0422. It will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2015
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 13th and Sunday, June 14th. 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. “Our partnership with Essex County grows stronger every year,” said Karen Drzik, Executive Vice President of the MS Society, who noted that their event has expanded to two days to accommodate all its participants. For information and registration, call 800-3-GoMuck or visit www.muckfestMS.com. It will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14, 2015
Time: 9 a.m.
Place: Essex County South Mountain Reservation
Intersection of Northfield Avenue and Cherry Lane
West Orange, NJ
The American Heart Association Heart Walk is Sunday, October 25th at the ADP campus in Roseland. Proceeds will be used to raise awareness and support prevention of cardiovascular disease and stroke. “I am truly honored to be amongst these other charitable organizations. To have everyone assembled here is a testament to how much Essex County cares,” said Ametra Burton from the American Heart Association. For more information on the Heart Walk, visit EssexHeartWalk.org or call 973-762-7831. It will be held as follows:
Date: Sunday, October 25, 2015
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.
The Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex includes Turtle Back Zoo, Codey Arena, the miniGOLF Safari miniature golf course, paddle boats on the Orange Reservoir, Treetop Adventure Course, the 1.7 mile walkway around the Orange Reservoir, Regatta Children’s Playground, Clipper Picnic Pavilion and South Mountain Reservation.
Contact: Anthony Puglisi
973-621-2542
Lauren Shears
973-621-1590