The Arc of Essex County Raises Nearly $45K During Annual Run/Walk

LIVINGSTON, N.J., May 18, 2021 – The Arc of Essex County, a 501c3 organization dedicated to helping children and adults with intellectual and development disabilities (IDD) such as Down syndrome and autism, announced its 23rd Annual Building Tomorrows Run and Walk rallied the community and raised nearly $45,000 to support the agency’s programs and services. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the event followed a virtual format and drew support from across Northern New Jersey as well as states as far away as Maryland.

The event, which kicked off on Saturday, April 24th, attracted a broad field of participants. More than 300 individuals ran, walked, or contributed to the fundraising efforts. The Building Tomorrows event is part of The Arc of New Jersey’s annual Step Up for The Arc statewide initiative of walkathons held locally by every county chapter. The Arc of Essex County is the state’s largest provider of services and supports to the I/DD community with a wide variety of programs that serve individuals from birth through their senior years.

Throughout the two-week submission window, runners and walkers flexed their creative muscle with entries into the event’s photo contest. Winners were crowned in four categories:

• Best Virtual Team Photo: We Thought They Said Rum, Flanders, NJ
• Most Creative Cheer Sign: The Arc's Roseland Group Home Residents
• Best Essex County Landmark Selfie: Reginald Corley, Taken at Essex County's Cherry Blossom Center
• Most Scenic Route: Lori Bogert, 13.1 Miles Along the Jersey Shore

Proceeds from the event will enable The Arc to continue to remain agile, responsive, and innovative and fund vital services for children and adults with special needs throughout the pandemic and beyond. Thanks to participants and donors of this annual event, over the past year, The Arc provided:

• 140+ hours of day programming for adults each month
• Round-the-clock care to nearly 150 residents through the height of the pandemic
• 5 weeks of summer day camp resulting in zero COVID-19 cases
• More than 2,250 virtual physical, speech, and occupational therapy sessions

“We would like to congratulate all of the runners and walkers who took part in the virtual 2021 Building Tomorrows Run and Walk” said Linda Cancro Lucas, Chief Executive Officer, The Arc of Essex County. “As a result of everyone’s fundraising efforts and the participation of the community, we raised needed funds which will enable The Arc of Essex County to continue to ensure that children and adults with IDD have every opportunity to achieve despite the uncertainty caused by the ongoing pandemic.”

The Arc of Essex County would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous contributions and support of the 23rd Annual Building Tomorrows event: PSE&G, Bogush, William H. Connolly Insurance & Risk Management, Bird Pharma Consulting, NJM Insurance Group, Sax LLP, Benefit Management Solutions, Eastern Janitorial, StationMD, Wakefern Food Group, and Walsh, Pizzi, O’Reilly, Falanga.

A complete list of submitted race results is available here. Photos from the event are available on The Arc of Essex County’s social media channels.

About The Arc of Essex County:

The Arc of Essex County is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to helping children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities participate in every level of our society and enjoy fuller, more independent lives. Founded in 1948, The Arc of Essex County provides a wide variety of programs and services that support nearly 1,500 people throughout Essex County from birth to their senior years. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.arcessex.org.