21st annual Run for the Kids: Superhero Hustle to benefit Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley

Family and friends support local superheroes at the 21st annual Run for the Kids: Superhero Hustle 5K Run/2-Mile Walk at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, at Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley.

This fundraising walk in Villa Park along the Prairie Path will benefit the mission of Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley to ensure that children with disabilities and their families are empowered.

Participants are encouraged to form a team to support Easterseals and come dressed as their favorite superhero or create an identity of their own.

The morning also includes a kid’s dash, visits from superheroes, a performance by the Jesse White Tumblers, live music from Northern Trust’s band, The Exceptions, community partners, yard games, and more.

Sixteen teams have been formed to support an Easterseals superhero.

The top fundraising teams include:

• The Brincredibles: An incredible family team comes together to support the therapists and staff that progressed a “bleak prognosis” of 3-year-old Brinley Olson to “anything but!” said mother, Tiffany Olson. Brinley uses her super smile to spread joy to all.

• Amy’s Rolling Rock Stars: Formed by longtime client and staff member, Amy Liss; she is excited for the opportunity to give back to a special place. “The staff at Easterseals do all they can to help my body, mind and spirit and it is an honor to call them friends,” said Amy. Amy is a wonder woman who uses her voice to spread awareness about the mission of Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley, her attitude of gratitude and cerebral palsy.

• The Incredible Cousins: They may not be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, but cousins Finn & Brady have mastered scaling every piece of furniture inside and out and encouraging their younger family members to do the same.

“This race is a great family-friendly event to support the staff at Easterseals that go above and beyond to help their clients. They are true Superheroes and I’m honored to work with them,” said team captain Gina Coulter.

“This run is the best day to see family, friends and Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley supporters come together for all our superheroes,” Theresa Forthofer, president and CEO of Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley said. “Everyone is here to celebrate and build inclusive communities for each child to thrive.”

People of all ages, abilities and skill levels are welcome to participate. Strollers and wheelchairs are welcome and encouraged. Registration is $30 per participants before Wednesday, Oct. 2. Registration is also available on race day, from 7:30 a.m. until 8:45 a.m. at a fee of $35. Thank you to event sponsor Pacella Trucking.

All preregistered participants will receive an event T-shirt. Awards, refreshments, entertainment, face-painting, kids’ dash, and a large silent auction will be at the event.

Advance packet pickup for preregistered participants will be available at Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley Center in Villa Park. Parking is available in the lot of Community Presbyterian Church and on the side streets unaffected by the race route.

To register for the event, visit eastersealsdfvr.org/RunForTheKids.

About Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley

Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley believes every child deserves to thrive in an inclusive community. Their work ensures that children with disabilities and their families are empowered. It offers pediatric therapy services virtually and at three west suburban Chicago area locations to help more than 1,000 infants, children and adults receive individualized care.

Core services include physical, occupational and speech therapies, in addition to assistive technology therapy, medical nutrition services, audiology, behavior therapy, developmental evaluations, social services, a child care center, specialty clinics and a continuing education program.

Support children and adults with disabilities at www.eastersealsdfvr.org. For the latest news, follow facebook.com/eastersealsdfvr.