By ROBERT LINNEHAN
Sometimes it’s better to do something for yourself than waiting for a handout that might never come. The local Camden County Partnership for Children foundation is organizing its first 5K race fund-raising event to support its child services.
The local Voorhees not-for-profit foundation supports children throughout Camden County. The foundation helps children between the ages of 4 and 21 who are challenged by mental health, emotional, and physical issues, Supervisor Debbie Cucinotti said. The partnership supports almost 200 children in Camden County at any given time, she said.
The fund-raising event will be held on Sunday, Nov. 7 at Connolly Park. Check in is at 8 a.m. and the race begins at 10 a.m., Cucinotti said.
It’s a certified 5K course, she said, and will run through Main Street and back through Centennial Boulevard. It’s the first fund-raising event the local group has ever decided to undertake, she said, but necessary during the state’s uncertain economic future.
“We’re a little new at this. With the governor and all of the budgetary constraints he is facing, why not try to get whatever extra we need by ourselves,” Cucinotti said. “We’re not asking the state for a budget modification. This event benefits everyone, the community and the kids. It’s going to be a great event and hopefully we’ll raise some funding to support our programs.”
The foundation partners with the child, the family, and community to provide strength-based and comprehensive care management, Cucinotti said. The Partnership for Children provides therapeutic services and gets the child involved in groups and community activities to help them reach their potential, she said.
The foundation has invited several health and children service foundations to table at the event to provide information for visitors.
A DJ has also been hired to provide entertainment during the day, Cucinotti said. WAWA has also donated juice for the race.
“All proceeds go to benefit programs and group workshops for our children to enhance their lifestyles,” she said. “We want to empower them to be leaders in their community despite their challenges.”
Interested racers can pre-register by searching for the run at the Web site Runsignup.com. Adult registration is $25 per runner and children can run for $5. A child is anyone under 18 years of age, Cucinotti said.
Runners can register the day of the event, but the cost is $5 more.
For more information, call Cucinotti at 482–6222 ext. 119.
Interested participants can also find information at the partnership’s Web site at camdencmo.org.
