Flag Day 5K Run and Fun Walk Helps Rescue NJ Veterans from Homelessness
Also Benefits new Veterans Village and Veterans Mental Health Services
Parsippany, NJ – The 18th Annual Flag Day 5K Run and Fun Walk will be held on Thursday evening, June 13th at the Lyons VA Campus of the NJ VA Healthcare System at Valley and Knollcroft Roads in the Lyons section of Bernards Township. Proceeds benefit Community Hope’s Hope for Veterans® Programs that will rescue more than 1,000 homeless and wounded veterans and their families struggling with homelessness this year. The Race will kick off at 7:00 P.M. near Valley Brook Village, housing built on the Lyons campus in 2013 for disabled and homeless veterans.
Community Hope is the leading charity in New Jersey serving homeless veterans and at-risk veteran families. The nonprofit organization has helped more than 6,000 veterans overcome poverty, despair, mental illness and addiction since opening their first veterans program in 2004. Through Community Hope’s umbrella of Hope for Veterans Programs, the nonprofit provides veterans with transitional housing; permanent supportive housing; rapid re-housing and homelessness prevention.
Proceeds Support the Development of Veterans Village Phase II and Expanded Mental Health Services for Veterans
This year’s event also benefits development of phase II of Valley Brook Village. Construction of 50 additional units of veterans housing commenced last summer and is planned for completion this year. The Village presently contains 62 units of supported housing for veterans with on-site support and employment services. In addition, the Run will support Community Hope’s campaign expanding mental health services for veterans residing at our 95-bed transitional housing program. This includes mental health counseling and therapy for veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress and combat trauma. Both programs are located on the Lyons VA campus.
Tribute Donations Offer Opportunity For Anyone To Support Veterans
“Beyond the sense of personal achievement runners and walkers get from participating in our Flag Day Event, helping to raise funding for programs serving homeless and destitute veterans adds another level of satisfaction and reward,” says Community Hope Executive Director Carmine Deo. “We invite participants to make this their best run and encourage others to get into the race! Achieve your personal best, while investing in your health and future and improving the lives of the men and women who have protected our freedom.” Mr. Deo stated that supporters can also make a tribute donation to honor or memorialize a special veteran in their lives .
Tribute donations can be made in honor or memory of a special veteran in your life.
Online or Day-Of-Event Registration
Online registration is open for runner and walker registration, forming teams or peer-to-peer fundraising in support of our veterans. Online registration closes at noon on June 12th and day-of-registration opens at 5:00 p.m. on June 13th. The pre-registration cost to run is $25 or $23 for USTF members, day-of race registration is $30. Registration for walkers is $15. Pre-registered participants will receive a runner’s shirt. Trophies will be awarded to the top teams and medals will be given to the top three male and female finishers in various age groups.
The course is USATF sanctioned and a Course Marshal will be overseeing the race course and course volunteers. Runners secure 500 points for participating.
Title Sponsors of the event are Accenture and MetLife as Patriot Sponsors, and Celgene Corporation serving as Five Star General Sponsor.
