Sherwood Island Hosts STAR’s 13th Annual 5k Run, Walk & Stroll
Over 800 supporters, including celebrity guests, expected to attend. Area 5k runners and walkers are lacing up for the 13th Annual STAR 5k Run, Walk & Stroll on Sunday, May 6 at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport. Runners and Walkers can register online at www.starct.org. The event includes a Family Fun Day celebration and fundraiser to benefit individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the Walk kick off is at 10:00 a.m. with a 1k walk route suitable for any ability (walkers, strollers, wheelchairs and baby joggers are welcome) and an officially-timed 5k run along the shoreline. Attendees will enjoy a continental breakfast, and a lineup of family activities including live music, arts and crafts, kids’ fun bus, face-painting, balloon sculpting, yard games and grilled hot dogs for lunch. The officially-timed run offers prizes for the top finishers in each age group. To register to Run, Walk or Stroll or to make a donation to an existing team visit www.starct.org.
There are over 45 teams signed up to walk and over 800 walkers, runners and volunteers are expected to attend including an array of local celebrities and civic leaders. The event raises funds for STAR’s programs benefiting local individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through Birth to Three Early Intervention therapies, Customized Job Training and Placement for transitioning high school students and adults and Scholarships for classes and self-enrichment programs for over 600 people per year in Fairfield County with I/DD.
This family-friendly day features live entertainment by STARs own Rubberband,, an acoustic rock and roll musical group, along with SDSS Marital Arts of Westport, Dance on the DL of Darien, Bike-On Adaptive Bicycles of Rhode Island, Fun Bus of Fairfield, Face Painting, Balloon Making, Crafts Table, Lawn Games and STAR 99.9 to list a few. Local pageant winners Miss Connecticut, Jamie Hughes, and Miss Connecticut Teen, Elle Sauli, will be there as well. Hughes is a Wish Granter for the Make -A-Wish Organization and works to spread the message on the importance of acceptance and including those around you. Sauli is a High School senior who has founded her own aspiring non-profit organization called, “Lunch Love” to ensure every student has enough money to eat a school lunch.
STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way is a not–for-profit organization established in 1952 to serve individuals of all ages who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as providing support services to their families. STAR creates opportunities for individuals to live full lives with independence, freedom of choice and personal growth by providing support, services and advocacy. Headquartered in Norwalk and with new offices at 15 Cross Street, Norwalk and 111 Elm Street, New Canaan, STAR annually serves over 600 individuals from birth through their senior years in Fairfield County. They aim to inform and encourage the community to recognize and appreciate the value of all individuals.
For more information about STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way, or to volunteer or donate, visit www.starct.org
