Ronald McDonald House 5K Run/Walk for Kids slated Sept. 16
The Ronald McDonald House of Delaware will present its 6th annual 5K Run/Walk for Kids at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 16, at Irish Eyes Pub & Restaurant in Lewes.
This year, the event will feature its first honorary starter, Garrett Rogers, 11, of Millsboro. Garrett was struck by a car last May while retrieving a baseball at Little League practice. His mother Wendy stayed at the Ronald McDonald House while Garrett received care at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children. Garrett also stayed at the house several times over the course of four months during his recovery. Garrett's positive spirit has inspired many and will surely propel everyone across the finish line.
Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Both runners and walkers are welcome. Preregistration is $25, and registration on race day is $30. Student preregistration is $15 and race day $20. To register, go to www.rmhlewes5k.com.
A free Kiddie K (1/10 of a mile) for children ages 8 and under will begin at 8:15 am. Ribbons will be awarded to all Kiddie K finishers. Free T-shirts will be given to all preregistered runners and walkers. Irish Eyes will host a post-race party with free refreshments. A family fun zone will feature face painting, a balloon artist, petting zoo, crafts and games.
Honorary chairs of the event are Sen. Ernie Lopez, R-Lewes, and Rep. Steve Smyk, R-Milton. Presenting Sponsors are The Meoli Companies, Races2Run and Irish Eyes Pub & Restaurant. Additional sponsors include Jack Lingo Realtor, Delaware 105.9 FM, Delaware State News, Edgewell Personal Care, Community Bank, Delaware Electric Cooperative, State Farm - Jeanine O'Donnell, Nickle Electrical, Beebe Healthcare, Atlantic Liqours, Tidewater Utilities, Wilmington University, Rehoboth Toy & Kite, and County Bank.
The Ronald McDonald House of Delaware serves as a home away from home for families who have a child receiving specialized pediatric medical care at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children or Christiana Hospital. The house provides a safe and affordable guestroom in a convenient location that makes it easier for families to stay together while their seriously or chronically ill or injured children receive medical treatment at hospitals far from their own homes.
The Ronald McDonald House of Delaware opened in 1991. The house has 50 guestrooms and welcomes more than 2,000 families per year. More than 35 percent of the families who stay at the house reside in Kent and Sussex counties. Families are asked to contribute $15 per night for their stay, but no family is turned away due to an inability to contribute. The house relies significantly on generous support from the community to provide its services.
