Friday, April 24, 2015

14th Annual Independence 5k Run and Walk - May 17

HMEA Inc. will be hosting its 14th Annual Independence 5k Run and Walk on Sunday, May 17th, 2015 at EMC2 on Constitution Boulevard, Franklin. For over 13 years, this family-fun event has raised funds to support 3800 children and adults from ages 1 to 101 with disabilities such as Autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other behavioral challenges. This event attracts over 2000 people from Southeastern and Central Massachusetts, as well as Rhode Island. 
Last year's event raised nearly $200,000. HMEA is anticipating that this year will be another successful event and hope that the community will continue to help champion its' mission of promoting the values, dreams and potential of people with developmental disabilities through education, support and life experiences. 
5K road race start
5K road race start

The day kicks off with a USATF certified 5K course run starting at 9 am followed by a family friendly and flexible 5K Walk that starts at 11 am. In addition there is a kids “fun run” that starts at 12:30 pm, many games and activities commence/ start after the opening ceremony that pays tributes to military veterans. There is free food and top notch entertainment throughout the day for all to enjoy. 
The family-fun event has numerous activities available for kids such as “touch a truck” – a 150 foot ladder Franklin fire truck, police displays, a wood shop building sponsored by the Home Depot of Bellingham and so much more. Special guests include the mascots Wally the Green Monster, Nibbles Woodaway, and the Cardi Furniture Bros “NiRoPe.” 
In addition, this year’s entertainment highlights boast The New England Revolution Slyde and The Battalion, Studio Two – a Beatles Tribute Band, Irish Step Dancers, Hot Rods, Clowns and even a Dog Show! 
The day’s events feature a special “Dreams Come True” raffle which contains high-end items such as a Bose® Wave® SoundTouch® Music System, a one-week RCI timeshare to anywhere in their world-wide catalog, four complimentary 1-day Park Hopper passes to Disney World Theme Parks, 4 Red Sox Tickets, complimentary one night stay in a Luxurious Room in the Renaissance Boston Patriot Place Hotel, and the list keeps growing. 
HMEA’s gracious host EMC2 helps to make this day a success by not only providing the location but they also help with the logistics, promotion and even the donation of volunteer t-shirts. Local businesses such as Open Doors Yoga Studio participate by providing yoga demonstration as part of HMEA’s wellness initiative. Families of HMEA are a huge part of the day because their personal investment for their love ones motivates them to mobilize, fundraise and bolster this event for an awesome cause. 
Major sponsors of the event include EMC2, DCU for Kids, Rockland Trust, The Home Depot, Cardi’s Furniture, Wal-Mart Stores, Fidelity Bank, Bowditch & Dewey, Autobahn East, ACT Leasing, AAA of Southern New England, Sodexo Foods, Franklin Industrial Park Association Trust, Big Blue Bug Solutions, Quality Beverage, among many others. 
Anyone interested in sponsoring, participating, or attending the event, is encouraged to visit the website at http://www.hmea.org or contact Linda Conley at 508-298-1107, Doug MacPherson x1105 or Tracy Andryc at x1129.

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