Essex County Events Highlight 11 Worthy Local Causes – West Orange, NJ Patch

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Essex County officials are partnering with 11 worthy local causes and organizations for a series of fundraising events in 2019.

According to a county news release, Essex will be participating in 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 Alliance, Stop for Nikhil, The Valerie Fund, the Arthritis Foundation, the St. Barnabas Medical Center’s NICU, RWJBarnabas Health, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

“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,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said.

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, officials said.

A description of the organizations and a schedule of their events follow below.

ARC OF ESSEX

The Arc of Essex County’s Annual Building Tomorrows 5K Run, Family Walk and Fun Fest is Saturday, April 27th 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. “We are delighted to partner with Essex County once again and raise awareness for the 1,500 citizens with developmental disabilities that we provide support and assistance to on an annual basis,” said Nancy Byrne, Director of Communications for The Arc of Essex County. It will be held as follows:

Date:Saturday, April 27, 2019
Time:8 a.m. Registration
9 a.m. 5K Run
10:15 a.m. Family Walk
10:30 a.m. Fun Fest
Place:Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex, Clipper Pavilion, Cherry Lane, West Orange, NJ

GREAT STRIDES

Great Strides is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s largest national fundraising event and will be held on Saturday, May 11th 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. “This is a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness about cystic fibrosis. It was very devastating news when our son was diagnosed with CF, but then we were linked with the foundation and found there was hope,” said Jodi Squires, whose son Sean is now 21 years old. For more information, visit www.fightcf.cff.org. It will be held as follows:

Date:Saturday, May 11, 2019
Time:10 a.m. Registration
11 a.m. 5K Walk
Place:Essex County Verona Park, Bloomfield Avenue and Lakeside Avenue, Verona, NJ

WALK TO CURE ATHRITIS

The Arthritis Foundation’s Walk to Cure Arthritis is Sunday, June 2nd 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. “Arthritis is the leading cause of disability, including in children. Our supporters really look forward to our event because after the walk, they stay at the complex and make a day of it,” said Emily Meyers, Development Director for the Arthritis Foundation. For more information, visit www.arthritis.org. It will be held as follows:

Date:Sunday, June 2, 2019
Time:9 a.m.
Place:Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex, Cherry Lane, West Orange, NJ

VALERIE FUND WALK/RUN

The Valerie Fund Walk and JAG Physical Therapy 5K Run is Saturday, June 8th 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/Walk2019/. “From the personal grief of Ed and Sue Goldstein, who lost their daughter Valerie to cancer, they became change makers. Today the Valerie Fund treats over 6,000 children with cancer and blood disorders a year,” said Bunny Flanders, Director of Marketing and Communications for The Valerie Fund. It will be held as follows:

Date:Saturday, June 8, 2019
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

NIKHIL BADLANI FOUNDATION

The Nikhil Badlani Foundation will present the Stop for Nikhil 5K Run/3K Walk on Sunday, September 15th 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. “On our roads, more than 40,000 people over the last three years have died in car crashes. When planes crash there are public inquiries, but you don’t hear about that for vehicle accidents. These auto fatalities can be avoided and education is the most effective means,” said. Sangeeta Badlani of the Nikhil Badlani Foundation. For more information, visit www.nikhilbadlanifoundation.org. It will be held as follows:

Date:Sunday, September 15, 2019
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

HEROES FOR CHILDREN

The New Jersey Children’s Alliance will present the Heroes for Children 5K and Family Fun Run/Walk on Saturday, September 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. “Children can heal from their trauma and adults can go on to great things. They just need the proper support and Child Advocacy Centers have proven to be effective places,” said Mary Beth Weil from the NJ Children’s Alliance. It will be held as follows:

Date: Saturday, September 21, 2019
Time:9 a.m.
Place:Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex, Clipper Pavilion, Cherry Lane, West Orange, NJ

ST. JUDE WALK/RUN

The St. Jude Walk/Run to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is Saturday, September 28th in Essex County Cedar Grove Park. Proceeds support the care and research provided at the hospital. St. Jude’s freely shares the discoveries it achieves and families are not charged when they are admitted to the hospital. The event features a walk and run as well as vendor tables. “I’m here because my grandson, who is now 7 years old, benefited from St. Jude’s. Our goal is to raise awareness about childhood cancers and offer hope to children and their families,” said. Terry Rogers, a volunteer with the St. Jude Walk/Run. For more information visit www.stjude.org/walkrun. It will be held as follows:

Date:Saturday, September 28, 2019
Time:TBA
Place:Essex County Cedar Grove Park, 199 Fairview Avenue, Cedar Grove, NJ

MIRACLE WALK FOR NICU

The 19th Annual Miracle Walk to benefit the Saint Barnabas Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is Sunday, October 13th 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. Volunteer Sage Gajarawala read a letter from her son Dillon, a alumni of the NICU who is now 20 years old. “All the care and technology make the difference. The walk is a great way to show your support, celebrate life, help save lives and build families,” he wrote. For more information, visit miraclewalk.com or call 973-322-4320. It will be held as follows:

Date:Sunday, October 13, 2019
Time:9 a.m.
Place:Essex County Verona Park, Bloomfield Avenue, Verona, NJ

MAKING STRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER

The American Cancer Society will present its Making Strides Against Breast Cancer on Sunday, October 13th 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. For information, visit www.MakingStridesWalk.org/NewarkNJ. “Making Strides is more than just a walk, it is movement that provides hope,” said Yakima Deloatch, Development Manager with the American Cancer Society. It will be held as follows:

Date:Sunday, October 13, 2019
Time:Registration 8 a.m.
Walk 10 a.m.
Place:Prudential Center, 25 Lafayette Street, Newark, NJ

HEART WALK

The 3rd Annual Greater Northern NJ Heart Walk is Sunday, October 20th 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. “Heart disease and stroke affects all of us. We want to be a relentless force for longer, healthier lives,” said. Judith Friedland of the American Heart Association. It will be held as follows:

Date:Sunday, October 20, 2019
Time: Registration 8 a.m.
Walk 9:30 a.m.
Place:Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex, Cherry Lane, West Orange, NJ

RUNNING WITH THE DEVILS

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. “We are thrilled to be a part of this again and spotlight the state’s most comprehensive health care system,” said Justin Edelman, Senior Vice President of Corporate Partnerships with RWJBarnabas Health. It will be held as follows:

Date:Saturday, November 2, 2019
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.

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