JLEFC's 5th Annual Healthy Families 5K Run & Walk

The Junior League of Eastern Fairfield County (JLEFC) is proud to announce its 5th Annual Healthy Families 5K Run and Walk on Sunday, April 28 at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo. This popular family event provides a unique opportunity to enjoy the zoo while benefiting the JLEFC’s Healthy Families, Healthy Futures initiative, which addresses children’s physical and developmental health through literacy; family connections; and healthy, active lifestyles to better prepare children for success in school and beyond.

Children in grade 6 and younger can start the day with the Kids’ Fun Run. Following the kids’ race, adults can complete a computer-timed 5K run or walk, or the untimed 1.5K Wellness Walk. All participants will pass the zoo’s many exotic animals as they make their way to the finish line near the historic carousel. After the race, everyone will enjoy snacks and family activities. All registered race participants will receive a ticket to Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo and are invited to spend the rest of the day exploring. Prizes will be awarded for the top male and female finishers, the top three finishers in nine age groups, and Best Costume. All registered participants, including children with paid registration for the 5K or 1.5K, will receive a commemorative t-shirt. Those who can’t race in person but still wish to join can register for the Virtual Race: simply donate online, then run, jog, or walk from anywhere—a favorite trail, the gym, the track, or even another race.

The Healthy Families 5K Run and Walk is just one of the JLEFC’s many events and programs that deliver positive community impact. In 2018, the JLEFC hosted its first-ever Volunteer-A-Thon, where League members performed 26.2 continuous hours of vital volunteer work for partner organizations such as Caroline House and Operation Hope. The JLEFC organizes regular Cook and Feed events to support hungry families, as well as Read Aloud events at the Thomas Hooker School to encourage early literacy. In October 2019, the JLEFC will proudly resurrect the Enchanted Castle, one of Fairfield County’s most beloved family events; proceeds will directly advance the JLEFC’s mission. In addition, the JLEFC is actively seeking grant proposals for projects up to $5,000 that align with Healthy Families, Healthy Futures. The due date for consideration is March 15, and grants will be awarded in May 2019. For more information about submitting a proposal, email jlefc@snet.net.

Said JLEFC president Ashley Welker, “Our Healthy Families 5K Run and Walk has grown every year, with last year’s record-setting participation topping 400 runners and walkers. We can’t wait to meet the families who will come out to enjoy this fantastic event. Their participation allows us to continue serving our community in 2019.”

To learn more about the event, visit https://www.jlefc.org/support-us/healthy-families-5k-runwalk/. To register for the race or the virtual race, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/CT/Bridgeport/TheHealthyFamilies5KRunWalk.

The Junior League of Eastern Fairfield County is proud to support the following communities: Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Newtown, Redding, Shelton, Southport, Stratford, Trumbull, Weston, and Westport. It is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Corporate sponsorships and other revenue producing efforts support all JLEFC programs. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. The Junior League of Eastern Fairfield County is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For further information please contact us at jlefc@snet.net or (203) 259-9995. The JLEFC office is located at the Burr Homestead, 739 Old Post Road, Fairfield and at www.jlefc.org.