Strides For Sylvie

Run or walk to honor Sylvie and raise awareness and money for the Tomorrows Children’s Fund at the Ridgewood Run on May 25th, 2009

Ann Chase, Andy & Catherine Karas are organizing a team to participate this year's Ridgewood Run on Monday, May 25, 2009 to honor Sylvie. The Ridgewood Run has established itself as the must-run road race in the NY-NJ-Connecticut area on Memorial Day. The North Jersey Masters (NJM), the premier running club in Northern NJ, has been the organizer of the race since it’s inception in 1976.

Our team,"Strides for Sylvie" both honors Sylvie and will raise awareness & funds to support the Tomorrows Children's Fund. Tomorrows Children’s Fund is a charitable organization that was developed by parents of children with cancer and blood disorders at Hackensack University Medical Center Children's Hospital. The Tomorrows Children’s Fund addresses the critical needs of families facing the anguish of this disease by working with the medical staff of the Tomorrows Children’s Institute to provide:
• State-of-the-art medical care
• A warm, healthy, and loving atmosphere for children during their inpatient and outpatient treatment
• A wide range of services to relieve emotional and financial stress
• Funding for research on childhood cancer and serious blood disorders

You can see more about this wonderful organization at http://www.atcfkid.com. Every single day Sylvie, kids from newborns to age 21 and their families benefit from their kindness, generosity, programs and support.

We welcome all friends, family and neighbors who would like to be part of the team and raise awareness and funds for a great cause and most importantly cheering Sylvie on!

The Race organizers have graciously agreed to provide us with tent space on race day where Team Sylvie will gather. Each of our team members will also receive a $3 discount per entry. In addition, they are in the process of determining which organizations will receive proceeds from the race and they are considering Tomorrows Children's Fund per our request. We hope for a positive response shortly.

We are also making up commemorative t-shirts and bracelets and will provide details/request orders on those when they are available. They will also be available at the tent on race day.

A few logistics that will be helpful:

Race Registration:
Online registration is now open and available however the only way to receive the Team Strides For Sylvie discount of $3 per entry is to register manually and indicate clearly on the registration form that you are participating on Team Strides for Sylvie (I would just write it in next to the event) and write a check for the entry fee less $3.

To register by mail, send the form and check to:
North Jersey Masters
P.O. Box 56
Ridgewood, NJ 07451

Registration in person is available at the Ridgewood YMCA on Oak Street.

Race Preparation:
Anyone registering who would also like to particpate in training runs should notify Catherine (Kitzchy).

Donations to Tomorrows Children's Fund:
Donations to Tomorrows Children's Fund can be made directly to the organization via their website (www.atcfkid.com) under "Donations", please indicate in the space provided "In Honor of" Sylvie Hughes. In addition, we will be collecting checks made out to Tomorrows Children's Fund on race day.

Event details:
The day itself offers events for all skill levels, as well as entertainment and refreshments. Strollers/Baby Joggers are only allowed on the Fun Run/Walk:
The Ridgewood Run/Walk is being held on Monday May 25, 2009
The schedule is as follows:
8:40 - The Kessler Foundation Wheelchair
10K
8:40 - 10K Runners in corrals
8:45 - Park Ave BMW 10K
10:15 - Park Ave BMW 5K
11:15 - Valley Hospital Womens Mile
11:40 - Valley Hospital Mens Mile
12:00 - Ridgewood YMCA Fun Run/Health Walk Mile

More information is available at http://www.ridgewoodrun.com/

-audra-