Hundreds Run and Walk to Help Children

Release date: 7/7/2011

JUPITER, Fla. – February 19, 2011 – More than 400 walkers and runners attended the 8th Annual “For the Love of Children” 5K Run/Walk at Carlin Park hosted by the Gold Coast Guild of Children's Home Society of Florida (CHS). Families brought their children to participate in the first 1-Mile Fun Run for children 10 and under. Participating children received a victory medal at the 1-Mile finish line while parents watched from the sidelines.

The weather couldn't have been better for the 5K event attendees. Runners and walkers warmed up with Palm Beach County Boot Camp fitness experts and enjoyed complimentary goodie bags, a variety of breakfast foods, IHOP pancakes, massages by Spine Design Chiropractic and acupressure by Seaside Acupuncture Physicians. "The 'For the Love of Children' 5K Run/Walk is a great way for our community to come together to exercise and enjoy fun activities while helping the kids," said Mavis Sheridan, 3rd-year event chairperson. In addition to Sheridan, Run/Walk committee members included Janell Averett, Juliana Corder, Debbie Dutkewych, Marie Etherington, Peg Minges, Tracy Siani, Angela Vagell, and Faye and Les Wood.

In the past seven years that this popular event has taken place, the Guild has raised more than $150,000 and fielded hundreds of walkers and runners dedicated to help abused, abandoned and neglected children and their families in Palm Beach County. "This 5K Run/Walk is a great combination of people who have a heart for the children in our areas that need our support," said CHS' Executive Director Stephen Bardy.

Event sponsors included: G4S Secure Solutions International, Keating-Moore Construction, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and Bank of America Corporation, JIC Realty, Inc., Publix Super Markets Charities, IHOP, Nestle Waters, Sysco, The Palm Beach Post, and KOOL 105.5 FM.

Race results will be posted on www.chs5K.org after February 23.

About Children's Home Society of Florida
Created in 1902, Children's Home Society of Florida (CHS) is the oldest and largest statewide private not-for-profit provider of services to children and families in Florida. The South Coastal Division serves children and families in Palm Beach County through a full spectrum of prevention and intervention programs. CHS services include foster care, adoption, child development, emergency shelters, residential group homes, independent and transitional living for teens, parent education, counseling, mentoring, treatment for developmentally disabled children, and more. CHS, which served more than 126,000 children and families throughout the state in 2009-2010, is headquartered in Winter Park, Fla., and offers services in more than 100 locations by more than 1,800 staff members dedicated to providing child-focused, family-centered care.

No clients shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Clients needing accommodations for a disability and/or clients with special communications needs should contact their Children’s Home Society of Florida worker or make their request for accommodation at the time of admission into a Children’s Home Society of Florida program.

CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY OF FLORIDA, REGISTRATION #CH180, IS REGISTERED WITH THE STATE UNDER THE SOLICITATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS ACT. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.