Road Race Will Aid Group That Supports Kids

From The Professional Center for Child Development: Get your running shoes ready! The Professional Center for Child Development will host its 26th Annual Trot for Special Tots Road Race on Sunday October 14th . This year’s event is presented by Vogel Vending. Additional sponsors include: Andover Pediatrics, Enterprise Bank, Bikram Yoga Merrimack Valley, Fred C. Church, Team Positivity, The Dog Nanny, Vest Technical Solutions, Andover Animal Hospital, Andover Country Club, Essex Physical Therapy & Chiropractic, Forever Green Lawn & Landscape, Grammie Anderson, Hanscom Federal Credit Union, The Hunt Family, JLH-SLP Services, Luna Rossa Restaurant, The Mother Connection, PlanBase, The Savings Bank, Speech Matters, and Talent Retriever.

In addition to the professionally timed 5K Road Race, the day will feature a 1 Mile Family Walk. Special guests include two mini therapy horses Tonka and Banshee from Lifting Spirits and a visit from World Marathon Challenge winner Becca Pizzi. The Professional Center for Child Development will also be accepting donations from event attendees in response to the community needs from the Columbia Gas explosions. Chris Hunt, Executive Director at The Professional Center for Child Development said "PCCD families in all three communities were significantly impacted by the gas explosions. We can't turn on the gas, but we can do our part to help." Items will be donated to Neighbors In Need and Andover Elder Services, which are two organizations helping in the relief efforts. Linda Zimmerman, Executive Director of Neighbors In Need shared the importance of families having access to diapers, especially in challenging times “Clean diapers prevent health problems and eliminate some of the stress on parents.” AnnMary Connor, Director of Elder Services commented “the community has come together in the face of this disaster.” Event attendees may bring blankets, diapers, and canned goods to the event on Sunday October 14th. Onsite registration will be available starting at 8am. For more information, please visit: http://thepccd.org/trot-for-to...

The Professional Center for Child Development places children on a path leading to achievement by providing support services so that children of all abilities may remain in a secure environment, teaching parents and caregivers to be successful advocates for children, working to transition children into settings beyond our classrooms and educating public organizations on how to provide continued community-based support for children with and without special needs. Our Mission is to provide educational and therapeutic services for children of all abilities and their families, working with each child to develop to his or her full potential. We strive to eliminate barriers to growth and development for children with disabilities and families coping with health issues and challenges. For more information about The Professional Center for Child Development please visit www.theprofessionalcenter.org.

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