Save the Date - 2nd Annual Pam's Run on October 18, 2014

Pam's Run is dedicated to the memory and legacy of Pam Manikas Washek, founder of Neighbor Brigade, and a tireless champion for families in crisis. Pam's Run will raise funds to keep her dream going and growing—so that no family needs to face crisis alone. Details 5K Run/Walk or 10K Run Cash Awards Kids' Activities Food, Music and Fun for All All proceeds go to Neighbor Brigade We are actively seeking sponsors, in-kind donors and volunteers for race day. Learn more at pamsrun.com. Register at pamsrun.com Please join us—October 18 www.pamsrun.com | info@pamsrun.com

7th Annual Run for Bob

7th Annual Run for Bob 5k Run/Walk

Sat. 10/1, 9am - 1pm 

(run starts @ 10)

431 Washington Street, Franklin 

(formerly Putnam Investments)

kids' activities, games, prizes, food & more! $20 / adult ($25 after 9/26)

$10 / child under 12 and Best Buddies participants

Team rate (4 or more participants/team): $15 / person

Come in Franklin sports shirt - for every 3, get 4th entry free!

Ways to register: runforbob.org or hockymca.org

Ariel Doggett, Hock YMCA Coordinator of Integration: 774.235.2722

Free t-shirts to first 300 registered

** All proceeds go to Best Buddies Franklin chapter and the YMCA **

Together, we honor Bob Biagiotti, a Franklin resident who passed away unexpectedly 7 years ago. Some of his greatest times were spent running in 5k's --pushing his daughter Kayla in a stroller modified for her disability. Kayla is a student at FHS and her mom Kris puts together a great family day here in Franklin to benefit charities that have played special roles in her family's life. Join us for the run/walk, see flyer! After the run, meet us for fun - an adult only night at Pinz,see flyer!

* The benefitting charities work to promote mutually respectful relationships between people of all abilities. The YMCA's Integration Initiative provides children with special needs an opportunity to participate with their typically developing peers in all the programs, services and activities offered at the Y. 

HMEA 5K Race/Walk - May 23rd

The Horace Mann Education Associates - HMEA, Inc. is located here in Franklin, MA but their effective service delivery is to over 100 communities in MA.

HMEA has a long history of providing innovative services in school, at work, at home and in the community and now serve over 2400 children and adults with developmental disabilities. Services include: Residential, Day and Family supports, and services for children.

HMEA's Employment Programs provides people with disabilities the opportunity to pursue meaningful employment either on a full- or part-time basis. For people in the Employment Program who work part-time, HMEA encourages volunteering for community organizations, or leisure and recreation activities to supplement their day.

HMEA's Employment Programs serve people 22 years of age and older who live within the commuting distance of program locations in the following cities and towns: Bellingham, Clinton, Hopedale, Plainville and Worcester

The annual fund raiser for HMEA is the 5K Race/Walk and Family Fun Day scheduled for May 23, 2010.

SAVE THE DATE...Sunday, May 23, 2010 HMEA's 9th Annual Independence 5K Walk/Run in the Park - MARK YOUR CALENDARS and grab your sneakers to participate in this "Fun-filled Family Day fundraising event...

This event, which is hosted by our good friends at EMC2 Corporation in Franklin, MA gathers 2,000 or more people to help HMEA continue its mission to make a difference in people's lives. AND, all the money raised is returned to the many programs at HMEA, which supports 2,400 children and adults with intellectual challenges and developmental disabilities.

Once again we have Gene Lavanchy from Fox News25 and tentatively Gail Huff from WCVB-TV Channel performing hosting duties for us. And our great friends and inspiration to many, "TEAM HOYT", Dick and Rick will be on hand again this year -- plus we're pretty sure there will be a few other celebrities and mascots on hand as well!

So come on down and participate in the fun...there's raffle prizes, food, tee shirts for participants (while they last), prizes, a Kids Corner filled with games and activities, a Kids "FUN RUN" and so much more... 

In addition to working the road race registration table (and providing splits at the 2 mile mark), I have decided to help HMEA do some fund raising this year.

I love the quote from Horace Mann that they use on their History page:

"Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity"

You can help the HMEA make a difference with a donation. I have a widget in the center column of this and my other blogs, should you choose to donate an amount within your means.

I will appreciate it.
The HMEA clients you help will too!

-----

If you would like to register for the race you can do so here
http://www.hmea.org/events.html

If you'd like you can contribute in one of several options directly through the HMEA website here
http://www.hmea.org/donations.html

HMEA 5K Race/Walk - May 23rd

The Horace Mann Education Associates - HMEA, Inc. is located here in Franklin, MA but their effective service delivery is to over 100 communities in MA.

HMEA has a long history of providing innovative services in school, at work, at home and in the community and now serve over 2400 children and adults with developmental disabilities. Services include: Residential, Day and Family supports, and services for children.

HMEA's Employment Programs provides people with disabilities the opportunity to pursue meaningful employment either on a full- or part-time basis. For people in the Employment Program who work part-time, HMEA encourages volunteering for community organizations, or leisure and recreation activities to supplement their day.

HMEA's Employment Programs serve people 22 years of age and older who live within the commuting distance of program locations in the following cities and towns: Bellingham, Clinton, Hopedale, Plainville and Worcester

The annual fund raiser for HMEA is the 5K Race/Walk and Family Fun Day scheduled for May 23, 2010.

SAVE THE DATE...Sunday, May 23, 2010 HMEA's 9th Annual Independence 5K Walk/Run in the Park - MARK YOUR CALENDARS and grab your sneakers to participate in this "Fun-filled Family Day fundraising event...

This event, which is hosted by our good friends at EMC2 Corporation in Franklin, MA gathers 2,000 or more people to help HMEA continue its mission to make a difference in people's lives. AND, all the money raised is returned to the many programs at HMEA, which supports 2,400 children and adults with intellectual challenges and developmental disabilities.

Once again we have Gene Lavanchy from Fox News25 and tentatively Gail Huff from WCVB-TV Channel performing hosting duties for us. And our great friends and inspiration to many, "TEAM HOYT", Dick and Rick will be on hand again this year -- plus we're pretty sure there will be a few other celebrities and mascots on hand as well!

So come on down and participate in the fun...there's raffle prizes, food, tee shirts for participants (while they last), prizes, a Kids Corner filled with games and activities, a Kids "FUN RUN" and so much more... 

In addition to working the road race registration table (and providing splits at the 2 mile mark), I have decided to help HMEA do some fund raising this year.

I love the quote from Horace Mann that they use on their History page:

"Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity"

You can help the HMEA make a difference with a donation. I have a widget in the center column of this and my other blogs, should you choose to donate an amount within your means.

I will appreciate it.
The HMEA clients you help will too!

-----

If you would like to register for the race you can do so here
http://www.hmea.org/events.html

If you'd like you can contribute in one of several options directly through the HMEA website here
http://www.hmea.org/donations.html

One World Running

One World Running is an international program promoting an awareness of health, fitness and nutrition by providing running shoes to those in need in the United States and around the world.

More from the website:

Since 1986, a group of runners in Boulder, Colorado, has collected, washed and sent to Third World countries new and "near-new" athletic shoes, T-shirts and shorts, along with medicine and school and art supplies. Shoes for Africa was started after sports journalist Mike Sandrock returned from a coaching and racing trip to Cameroon, West Africa, sponsored by the U.S. Information Agency. Many of the runners from Cameroon ran barefoot (and were still able to beat Sandrock), and afterwards, a group of Boulder elite runners including Lorraine Moller, Steve Jones and Arturo Barrios began shipping shoes to West Africa. Since then a group of runners in Boulder has collected, washed, and sent shoes, T-shirts, and shorts to needy athletes and children around the world. The project continues to grow with shoes and athletic equipment being sent in from around the United States. Now called "One World Running" the group is a 100-percent volunteer organization, and the program has now expanded globally.

I have boxed a bunch of shoes for shipment to a regional collection site.

Do you have shoes hanging around that you could send?

Charity Runner comes to New England

Received this announcement via email and thought it would be worthwhile to share with all.

The American Cancer Society Charity Runner program is now available to New England running enthusiasts looking for the opportunity to make their miles more meaningful. Through the Charity Runner program runners are able to dedicate their run in honor or in memory of a loved one with cancer, while raising funds for the fight against this devastating disease. The American Cancer Society has a select number of entries for partner races around New England for those wishing to run as a Society Charity Runner.

Fundraising minimum commitments vary by race. Since 1996, more than 5,000 athletes nationwide have helped raise $5.2 million through Charity Runner, enabling athletes of all levels to turn their passion for half-marathons, marathons, triathlons, or cycling races into a lifesaving effort to fight cancer. The American Cancer Society dedicates funds raised to fuel the most promising research; to spread lifesaving cancer awareness messages; to advocate for screening opportunities for all people; and to ease the cancer burden for people facing the disease through practical, day-to-day emotional support. In return for their fundraising efforts, American Cancer Society Charity Runners will receive many benefits, including:

• A personalized Web site to assist in fundraising efforts
• Complimentary local training
• Exclusive American Cancer Society racing shirt
• The opportunity to dedicate their participation in memory or in honor of a loved one touched by cancer.

Official 2009 race partners of the Charity Runner program in New England include:

• The Hyannis Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10 Mile; Hyannis, MA; February 22
• Great Bay Half Marathon; Newmarket, NH; April 5
• Cox Sports Marathon, Half Marathon; Providence, RI; May 3
• Sugarloaf Maine Marathon; Carrabassett Valley, ME; May 17
• Boston's Run to Remember; Boston, MA; May 24
• KeyBank VT City Marathon; Burlington, VT; May 24
• Patriot Triathlon; East Freetown, MA; June 20
• Cranberry Trifest; Lakeville, MA; August 29
• Pumpkinman Triathlon; South Berwick, ME; September 12
• Manchester City Marathon, Half Marathon; Manchester, NH; November 1

Previously qualified and registered runners for the Boston Marathon (April 20) may also choose to raise funds for the American Cancer Society through Charity Runner.

For those unable to run but interested in getting involved with the efforts of the American Cancer Society through Charity Runner, Click Here to request more information.

For additional Charity Runner opportunities nationwide, please visit http://www.charityrunner.org/ or contact the American Cancer Society, 24/7, 365 days a year, at 1-800-ACS-2345.

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 13 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information anytime, call toll free 1-800-ACS(227)-2345 or visit http://www.cancer.org/.

Fund Raising for Taline

I received the following in an email from Taline recently. I contributed to her effort in 2007 and did so again this year.

On April 21st I'll be running my second Boston Marathon!! Despite the injuries and challenges I faced during my training last year, I'm testing my mental and physical boundaries once more and also trying to beat my 2007 finish time.

Last year with the help of my friends and family I was able to raise $6200 for the Daniel Marr Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester, and this year they have awarded me a number again as I have committed to raising $5000 for their organization.

The Colonel Daniel Marr Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester is a safe haven where children can participate in over one hundred different programs in art, music, sports, education, peer leadership, and life skills. I hope you will consider sponsoring me and supporting my fund raising efforts with your tax-deductible donation. Online donations can be made through my secure page

Thank you in advance for your support as it was, and continues to be, the guidance and encouragement of those around me that motivates me to try my hardest and do my best in all facets of my life. Thanks, Taline

Good luck, Taline!

Best Buddies finish made the paper!

Thanks to a family friend for catching the photo in the Milford Daily News. I read the paper online and not all the printed content makes it to the web version.

Thanksgiving Fund Raising

I am raising funds for the Boston Volvo Village 5K Road Race to benefit Best Buddies on Thanksgiving Day.

You can view my page here and if you can contribute, it would be greatly appreciated!

The 5K is a good excuse to get out on the roads before sitting to have a good turkey dinner. It is also an opportunity to benefit an organization doing worthwhile work, Best Buddies!