HARC’s 4^th Annual Walkathon: Walkathon 2007

NAME:  HARC’s 4^th ANNUAL WALKATHON: WALKATHON 2007

WHO THE EVENT BENEFITS: The Greater Hartford Association for Retarded Citizens, Inc. (HARC) and its families benefit from the event. The proceeds of the Walkathon are directed to HARC’s Respite Program, which was created to help families get a break from the challenges of caring for their child with mental retardation and multiple disabilities.

DATE & TIME: Sunday, May 20, 2007. Registration is at 8:30 am and the Walk begins at approximately 9:30 am, and goes until approximately 12:00 noon. T-shirts will be given out on a first come, first served basis, on the day of the event, for as long as the supply lasts.

WHERE: Iron Horse Boulevard, Simsbury, CT

COST:  There is no registration fee to participate in the event, but it is hoped that participants will actively solicit pledges and donations for their walk, in order to raise funds for HARC’s Respite Program. More information can be found by going to HARC’s website at www.harc-ct.org.

SPONSORS: The event is supported by corporate and community sponsorships ranging from Platinum $10,000+ to Copper $500+ and many smaller area businesses have donated in-kind gifts or held fundraising events to make the event a success. NBC30 Partners in a Caring Community as well as Guy Carpenter have been two of the major on-going sponsors of the event.

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: The purpose of this event is to raise public awareness of HARC (The Greater Hartford Association for Retarded Citizens) and its mission, which is to help people with mental retardation and their families enjoy lives of quality, inclusion and dignity by providing support, education and advocacy and to raise funds for HARC’s Respite Program.

This joyful event, hosted in past years by NBC 30’s Gerry Brooks and Persefone Contos, is meant to be inclusive for all families and individuals in the community as well as for area corporations and businesses, to show support for families who are dealing with the challenges of mental retardation. Last year’s event attracted over 600 walkers as well as people using strollers, bicycles, and wheelchairs!

CONTACT INFORMATION:  For more information or to register contact:

Cindy Robbins, HARC’s Events Coordinator, at 218-6049 or

            crobbins@harc-ct.org

     Jenna Rompelman, Secretary, PR&D Department, at 218-6089 or

            jrompelman@harc-ct.org

Other contacts:

Jennifer Meligonis DeJohn, HARC’s Director of Development at 218-6048 or

jmdejohn@harc-ct.org

Diana Appleton, HARC’s Director of Communications, at 218-6047 or dappleton@harc-ct.org

One can also visit HARC’s website at www.harc-ct.org for more information and to register.

   The Greater Hartford Association for Retarded Citizens, Inc.(HARC)  was formed in 1951 by parents of children with mental retardation. HARC remains true to its mission of helping people with mental retardation and their families enjoy lives of quality, inclusion   and dignity by providing support, education and advocacy.