The Arc of Somerset to Host First Virtual Walk and 5K Event

Manville, NJ: The Arc of Somerset County’s Annual Step Up For the Arc 5K Run and Walk for 2020 was one of many highly anticipated Somerset County community events that was cancelled due to the COVID-19 crisis. The Arc Foundation of Somerset County has announced that they have changed the 2020 Walk fundraiser to a FREE virtual event with the ability to Donate-What-You-Can- from June 1st through June 20th.

Executive Director, Lauren Frary states, “The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed life for all of the individuals we serve. We are living this new normal each day, and we are working to ensure the health and safety of everyone along with providing activities and connection with loved ones. Everyone is adapting to change, especially with a new comfort with virtual technology for almost everything – from birthday parties to recreation programs to music events. As such, we felt it was important to continue our “Step Up Walk” tradition by offering it virtually to our adults, their families and our dedicated “Step Up” supporters for a few weeks versus just one day.”

A downloadable Google form is available for anyone who wishes to keep track of their run time- as well as a link to show us their completion time photo. Additionally, anyone who wishes to walk, hike, jump rope, or walk their dog virtually would be a great way to share the participant’s personal love of our mission and our cause with a photo on their registration page.

A portion of the proceeds for this VIRTUAL Event will go toward the agency’s COVID-19 relief fund, which will allow for the agency to help offset the cost of PPE and supplies related to COVID-19 prevention.

“We look forward to seeing the Somerset County community join us from June 1-June 20th as they share their 5K race time, and walk photos with our Arc of Somerset County adult community”, states Lisa Marie Arieno, Director of The Arc Foundation of Somerset County.

The Arc Foundation of Somerset County is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Step Up For The Arc of Somerset County is an annual statewide Walkathon and 5K Race of The Arc, the state’s largest non-profit advocacy and service organization supporting people with developmental disabilities and their families. Programs include Childhood Services: Early Intervention Program (EIP); The Jerry Davis Center for Children and Families; Camp Jotoni; PACT (Parents And Children Together) and Adult Services.

To register online, please visit https://runsignup.com/Race/NJ/SomersetCounty/StepUpforTheArcofSomersetCounty5KatDukeIslandPark

For more information about “Step Up for the Arc Virtual 5K, Walk, Hike and Dog Walk”, call 908-658-3805.

For more information about The Arc of Somerset County, please visit www.thearcofsomerset.org