Neighbor News
The Arc of Essex County to Host 18th Annual Building Tomorrows 5K Run, 2-Mile Walk, and Family Fun Fest
Four Essex and Morris County Students to Represent Their Communities as Student Ambassadors; Three to Serve as Mentors
The Arc of Essex County will host its 18th annual Building Tomorrows 5K Run, 2-Mile Walk, and Family Fun Fest on Saturday, April 16th at Brookdale Park in Bloomfield. The event will feature a USATF-sanctioned 5K race, a 2-mile fundraising walk, and an afternoon of interactive family fun. All proceeds will benefit The Arc’s programs and services that help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families.
Seven Morris and Essex County students have been selected as Student Ambassadors and Mentors for the 18th annual event based on their personal connection and passion about developmental disabilities. The 2016 Ambassadors and Mentors have been using their personal stories to build awareness, rally support, and inspire their communities. The 2016 Student Ambassadors and Mentors are:
2016 Student Ambassadors:
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- James Hahn, The Arc of Essex County’s Stepping Stones School, Roseland
- Dominique Macaluso, Mt. St. Dominick Academy, Caldwell
- Sara Solomon, Wyoming Elementary School, Millburn
- Jackson Shulkowski, The Arc of Essex County’s Stepping Stones School, Roseland
2016 Student Ambassador Mentors:
- Ansley Hopton, Gill St. Bernard’s School, Gladstone
- Braden Hopton, ECLC School, Chatham
- Mary McNany, Heritage Middle School, Livingston
“Following the success of the 2015 Student Ambassador program, we are excited to welcome our new class of ambassadors for 2016. This year’s ambassadors, under the guidance of our mentors, have been busy raising awareness about intellectual and developmental disabilities and inspiring others to join them on their Building Tomorrows journey,” said Heather Comstock, senior director of development and communication, The Arc of Essex County. “We are excited to honor their achievements and share their stories with all event participants on April 16.”
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All event registrants are welcome to attend the complimentary Family Fun Fest following the USATF-sanctioned 5K Run and 2-Mile Fundraising walk. Activities include theater and magic shows, face painting, balloon sculpting, martial arts demonstrations, princess appearances, caricatures, interactive music activities, carnival games, a cooking corner, and more. Admission to the Family Fun Fest is free with run or walk registration. The registration fee for the USATF-sanctioned 5K race is $30; walk registration is complimentary (donations strongly encouraged). To register, visit www.runorwalk.org.
The 2016 Building Tomorrows 5K Run, 2-Mile Walk, and Family Fun Fest would not be possible without the generous support from the community and our event sponsors: PSE&G, PwC, Bird Pharma Consulting, Gallagher Bollinger, Public Sewer Service, Prudential, and Stop & Shop. Sponsorships are available; visit www.runorwalk.org for more information or contact Heather Comstock at 973-535-1181 ext. 1224.
About The Arc of Essex County:
The Arc of Essex County is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to helping children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities participate in every level of our society and enjoy fuller, more independent lives. Founded in 1948, The Arc of Essex County provides a wide variety of programs and services that support nearly 1,500 people throughout Essex County from birth to their senior years. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.arcessex.org.
