KID Hero 5K raises funds to support programming for vulnerable children and families in Broward and Palm Beach Counties
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – On Thursday, July 11, the streets of Downtown Fort Lauderdale were filled with superheroes. Hundreds of supporters—many dressed as their favorite superhero—participated in the Annual KID Hero 5K, a three-mile fun run/walk to raise funds and awareness for Kids In Distress of Broward and Palm Beach counties (KID) and the over 10,000 vulnerable children and their families served each year by the organization.
While thunderstorms threatened the originally scheduled event in April, more than 400 superhuman supporters attended in July, showing their commitment to having fun all in the name of a good cause.
“It is heartwarming to see our community come together to support these children and their families, to help KID raise awareness and much-needed funds for the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect,” said Kids In Distress Development Officer Phyllis Bard. “The Hero 5K is always an exceptionally fun event, and our committee, sponsors and participating teams have worked extra hard to make it another success this year.”
KID brings more than 30 years of experience as a nationally accredited, community-supported agency dedicated to the prevention of child abuse, preservation of the family and the care and treatment of abused children in Broward and Palm Beach counties. KID offers a full continuum of care that includes emergency shelters, therapeutic services, abuse prevention, foster care and adoption.
Presented by BankUnited, the KID Hero 5K is an annual event that culminates with a celebratory festival at Huizenga Plaza along the famed Las Olas Riverfront. Prizes were awarded to the top male and female finishers from each age category plus the overall best costume and best team theme. The festival included a children’s costume contest, food and drink vendors, and a live concert performance by Alexander Star. Even The Broward Legislative Council attended and sold cupcakes to support KID.
Attendees of all ages enjoyed mingling with Spider Man and other heroes of Florida SuperCon while participants young and old let their inner comic book fanatic emerge as they excitedly received throwback tin Superman lunchboxes.
Mark Dhooge, CEO of Kids In Distress, echoes the wishes of the all the participants: “I want to thank all the runners, walkers, sponsors, volunteers and friends of KID for making our 2013 5K a superhuman success. Whether participants arrived as caped crusaders or masked avengers, we all banded together to support the true heroes: our foster and adoptive families.”
Cheering each of the runners and walkers along were the true heroes of the day: a large group of foster parents who came to the event in support of those supporting their cause. In fact, many foster families in attendance dressed in costume and joined the fun in a show of camaraderie with the attendees.
Donations from sponsors and Hero organizations were displayed prominently in promotional and onsite materials, for these organizations truly made a big difference in the services KID can provide. It’s still possible to show your support at www.WalkForKID.org by contributing funds in honor of your favorite participants from the night of the event. To date, KID has raised approximately $120,000 through the KID Hero 5K to support the children and families receiving its important services.
As always, 100% of the proceeds from this event will directly benefit the children and families served by KID.
ABOUT KIDS IN DISTRESS
Kids In Distress of Broward and Palm Beach Counties is a licensed nationally accredited agency working for prevention of child abuse, preservation of the family, and care and treatment of abused and neglected children. KID partners with corporations, organizations, municipalities, schools, and individuals to provide basic services to the underserved population in South Florida. KID services help more than 10,000 children and their families through Prevention, Foster Care, Preschool, Family Counseling Clinic and Emergency Residential programs. All of our programs and services are designed specifically to give children and their families the tools, skills, services, and education they need to maintain a safe, stable, and healthy environment in which to thrive. In 2011, KID and Nova Southeastern University opened the Kid Dental Clinic and NSU’s Eye Care Institute at KID on the KID campus.
Generous Sponsors
AFR
ARI & AGT
Artist
Associated Grocers
AT&T
Autonation
BankUnited
Dunkin Donuts
Embraer
enCore
Engineering Contractors Association Enterprise RAC
FIU
Furman
IMAX
JM Family
Liberty Power
McCalla Raymor
MICF
National Marine Suppliers NCL
Orange Theory
Past Present Future Pediatrix
PNC Bank
Principal
Publix
RBC Bank
Schlesinger
SunTrust
Supercon
Trigen
UPS
Wiring.com
Wizard
