Shelter lines up annual run April 19
Shelter Inc. invites all area runners, walkers and their families to its second annual 5K/Run Walk 4 Kidz at 8 a.m. April 19.
Meet at the Higgins Road entrance to Busse Woods in Elk Grove Village, Groves 5-16. Parking is free. This is a Registered Chicago Area Runner's Association race.
"Our 5K Run/Walk 4 Kidz is something families can do together, and there is no better way to celebrate the warmer temperatures than being outside with your family," said Carol Brown, Shelter's director of development. "We invite everyone to join us. We're looking forward to a great day, and one that will significantly benefit children, adolescents and first-time parents living in our community."
A day of family-oriented activities is planned. For participants, pre-race refreshments will be served starting at 8 a.m. The 5K Run/Walk for Kidz starts at 9 a.m., and the Kidz Dash, a race designed especially for boys and girls ages 3-10, begins at 10 a.m.
All participants can enjoy the Busse Woods USA Track and Field-certified 5K course; wear an official race T-shirt; limber up and cool down in a pre- and post-race stretch tent from First Health Associates, SC; enjoy pre- and post-race buffets courtesy of Caffé Baci; and receive a goody bag.
Awards will be given to the top three finishers in each age division and overall top man and woman, and the first three boys and girls in the Kidz Dash will win a prize.
Extras for families attending the race will include crafts, face painting and inflatables for children, prizes, sponsor booths, and an awards ceremony.
CLTV joins Shelter as the event's media sponsor. Sean Lewis, CLTV's afternoon anchor, will emcee the day's activities and call the races. A native of Kenosha, Wis., and graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Lewis anchored morning news in Rockford, where the Illinois Associated Press named him "Best Newswriter."
The race is sponsored by Grant Thornton LLP, SourceLink, RR Donnelley, Kappa Delta KiDs Foundation, Caffé Baci, Woodfield Planning Corp., Northwest Community Hospital, Sportdecals, United Marketing Group, A.G. Edwards, Life Time Fitness/Life Time Fitness Foundation, Juergen's Chiropractic and Runner's High 'n Tri.
Registration is $25 in advance, $30 day of the run for adults, and $15 for ages 3-16. CARA members are eligible for a $2 discount.
The following registration options are available:
• Sign up online at signmeup.com/59688 by 7 p.m. April 18.
• Register and packet pickup April 16-18 at Runner's High 'n Tri, 121 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights.
• Register and packet pickup the day of the race at Busse Woods.
All mailed entry forms must be postmarked by Monday. Runners who have pre-registered will be able to pick up their race packets from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 16-18 at Runner's High 'n Tri.
All proceeds benefit Shelter Inc., the only nonprofit, licensed and accredited child welfare agency in the Northwest suburbs providing community-based emergency and longer-term care and housing for children and adolescents ages infant through 17. Shelter's programs are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Children and adolescents who are abused, neglected, dependent or in need of supervision are cared for in Shelter's Emergency, Traditional and Home-of-Relative Foster Care Programs, and in three Group Homes, which include the Boys Group Home in Palatine, the Jennings Home for Girls in Schaumburg and the Older Adolescent Group Home in Arlington Heights for boys ages 16 to 17.
Shelter also provides the only Healthy Families program in the Northwest suburbs, a home visitation and parenting education program for first-time parents.
For more information, call Shelter's Development Department at (847) 590-6188, ext. 21, or visit shelter-inc.org.