Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr., center, announces that Essex County is participating in 10 partnerships to increase awareness and help raise funds for various local charities.
ESSEX COUNTY, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. announced Thursday, April 7, that Essex County is participating in 10 partnerships to raise awareness and help raise funds for the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Arc of Essex County, New Jersey Children’s Alliance, Stop for Nikhil, The Valerie Fund, Arthritis Foundation, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center’s NICU, RWJBarnabas Health and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
“Each of these highly respected organizations does so much to make a positive difference and improve the quality of life for our residents. I invite the public to run, walk or donate to help these very great causes,” DiVincenzo said. “To thank these organizations and the thousands of people who support them, we are offering discounted admission to the Turtle Back Zoo, Codey Arena and miniGOLF Safari for people who attend these events.”
The organizations and their events are as follows:
- Essex County’s annual Building Tomorrows 5K Run and Family Walk, held on April 9 at the South Mountain Recreation Complex, raised funds to help the Arc continue to provide services support for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. For information, visit www.arcessex.org.
- Great Strides is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s largest nationwide fundraising event and will be held in person Saturday, May 14 at Verona Park with registration at 10 a.m. and a 3-mile walk at 11 a.m. The foundation’s mission is to cure cystic fibrosis and raise awareness of this rare genetic disease that shortens life and makes breathing difficult. Registration is free, but walkers are encouraged to raise funds. For more information, visit www.fightcf.cff.org.
- The Arthritis Foundation’s Walk to Cure Arthritis will be an in-person event on Sunday, June 5 at the South Mountain Recreation Complex with registration at 8 a.m. and walk at 9:30 a.m. For more information, visit www.arthritis.org.
- The Valerie Fund Walk and JAG Physiotherapy Walk and 5K Run will be an in-person event on Saturday, September 17 in Verona Park with registration at 7 a.m., 5K Run at 8:30 a.m. and Walk at 10 a.m. h. will be used to support the comprehensive care of children with cancer and blood disorders. For more information, visit TheValerieFund.org/Walk2022/.
- The Nikhil Badlani Foundation will present Stop for Nikhil 5K Run/3K Walk/5K Bike Ride as an in-person and virtual event on Sunday, September 18 at West Orange High School, 51 Conforti Ave., with registration at 7:30 a.m. 30, the bike ride at 8.15am, the 5km run at 9.30am and the 3km walk at 9.45am. The foundation is named after Nikhil Badlani, 11, who was killed in an accident car in 2011 when the driver failed to stop at a stop sign. Its mission is to improve the lives of children through music lessons, scholarships for high school seniors, and road safety awareness and education. For more information, visit www.nikhilbadlanifoundation.org.
- The 22nd Annual Miracle Walk to benefit the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center will be an in-person event on Sunday, October 9 at 9 a.m. in Verona Park. Miracle Walk funds supported the purchase of advanced medical technologies for the NICU. The walk also supports staff at Cooperman Barnabas, who treat 1,100 infants at the NICU each year. For more information, visit rwjbh.donordrive.com.
- The American Cancer Society will present Making Strides Against Breast Cancer as an in-person event on Sunday, October 16 at 10 a.m. at the Prudential Center in Newark. For more information, contact liz.rodoussakis@cancer.org.
- NJ’s annual Far North Heartland Walk is scheduled for Sunday, October 16 at the South Mountain Recreation Complex. Proceeds will be used to raise awareness and support the prevention of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
- The New Jersey Children’s Alliance will present the Heroes for Children 5K Run, Walk or Ride as an in-person event on Saturday, October 22 at the South Mountain Recreation Complex with registration at 7:30 a.m. and the 5K at 9:00 a.m.; a virtual event will take place from October 15 to 22. The 5k run is a USATF certified run. The event will raise awareness of child abuse issues and increase knowledge about the services of local Child Advocacy Centers and Multidisciplinary Teams and the difference these services make in a child’s life. For more information, visit www.njcainc.org.
- The RWJBarnabas Health 5k run and walk with the devils will take place on the morning of Sunday, October 30 at the South Mountain Recreation Complex, with options to join the 5k run around the reservoir, spend the day walking in the Turtle Back Zoo or taking place virtually from October 1-30. All proceeds from the event will be used to support healthcare heroes in their efforts to protect and build healthier communities.
Attendees of these events can receive $5 admission to the Turtle Back Zoo, Codey Arena and miniGOLF Safari in West Orange. Reduced admission is available on event days and attendees must bring their bib or proof of registration to receive the discount.