Ryan’s Run 5K Run/Walk aids children’s charities
The Ryan Briere Foundation will host its second annual Ryan’s Run 5K Run/Walk Sunday, Sept. 16, at Century Park North, 1401 Indianwood Drive, Vernon Hills.
On-site registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the run/walk follows at 9 a.m. Strollers are welcome. Online registration is available at www.ryanbrierefoundation.org.
Activities include a kiddie sprint, Magic by Randy, balloon artist, inflatable bounce house, face painting and Kid Snips. The event will be emceed by Lou Loiben of Personalities, Inc. Proceeds from this event will benefit Child’s Voice in Wood Dale, www.childsvoice.org.
The Ryan Briere Foundation will set up a donation to be used by the school for audiology equipment and loaner hearing aids for children ages 7 and younger. The foundation also supports other children’s charities.
Ryan died Jan. 11, 2011, three weeks before his third birthday. His family decided the best way for people to experience Ryan’s generosity and energy and to continue his work was to create a foundation dedicated and devoted to helping children.
Each year, money raised from the events go to an organization that helps to better the lives of children.
As a child, Ryan suffered from frequent ear infections. They became so frequent that he ended up having tubes put in both ears. But what a transformation when those tubes went in. He became more sensitive to loud noises and the clarity of his speech improved significantly.
Proceeds from the 2012 Ryan Run will go to helping in the early testing and treatment of hearing loss. The goal for this year is to raise enough funds to help Child’s Voice develop its Auditory Brainstem Response System.
This program will allow the Audiology Center of this not-for-profit school to begin administering the follow-up tests to newborns and infants that failed the newborn screening.
Early detection will increase the likelihood of early intervention for children with hearing loss.
Last year, the foundation raised $13,000 for teacher education at Ryan’s school, The Goddard School in Vernon Hills. The funds are available for all qualifying expenses for several years. The Goddard School was selected not because it was Ryan’s school but because it was his favorite place to go.
The sponsors of this event are: Smalley Steel Ring Company; Mazzetta Company, LLC; The Continental Restaurant; Personalities Inc.; Ostrow, Reisin, Berk & Abrams, Ltd.; American Litho; Vernon Hills Park District; Sunset Foods; and Running Away.
For more information, visit www.RyanBriereFoundation.org or call Lori Briere at (224) 715-1604.