Popular Charity Race In Bloomfield Announces 5-Year Sponsorship

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — A supermarket in Bloomfield that has become known for sponsoring a popular local charity run – the Tom Fleming Sunset Classic – will be supporting it for another half-decade.

Brookdale ShopRite recently announced that it is committing to a five-year title sponsorship of the annual race, which benefits the Vocational Educational Special Training (VEST) program at Bloomfield High School. The program provides outreach for developmentally delayed adolescents and young adults from ages 15 to 21, with the goal of “providing the means to make the students independent and employable.”

Brookdale ShopRite, which has been sponsoring the Tom Fleming Sunset Classic for 22 years, will act as title sponsor of the race starting in 2024 and continuing to 2028.

Neil Greenstein, a third-generation grocer and the owner and operator of Brookdale ShopRite, previously said that the store has hired many graduates of the VEST program over the years.

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The annual race falls under the umbrella of the nonprofit Bloomfield Educational Foundation. To date, the foundation has given more than $2.4 million to the Bloomfield Public School District to support innovative teaching programs, town-wide initiatives and scholarships.

The 2024 Brookdale Shop Rite Tom Fleming Sunset Classic will be held on Thursday, June 27 at Foley Field. Here’s what to expect, organizers said in a news release:

“There will be fun for the whole family! Youngsters, ages 2-12, can enjoy a Kids Fun Run at 6:30PM. Open to all ages, The Rick Petersen Mile, and is a timed event on a USATF certified course. The ever popular 5 Mile Road Race begins at 7:30pm and will take runners through the streets of Bloomfield and Glen Ridge. Fun Run and Rick Petersen Mile runners will receive a commemorative t-shirt and Brookdale ShopRite Tom Fleming Classic runners will receive a commemorative runners’ tech shirt. Adding to the festivities, Brookdale ShopRite will also be offering food, drinks and surprises will abound. This event has traditionally been a great way to kick off the 4th of July holiday.”

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