The 11th Annual STAR Walk, 5K Run & Roll will be held on Sunday, May 1, 2016 at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport. Participants of all abilities will run, walk or roll the accessible routes with neighbors, friends, family members, staff, supporters, corporate teams, state and city officials and the general public. 

Walkers can choose handicapped accessible routes of 1 or 3 miles. Entertainment is provided by STAR’s Rubberband. Healthy breakfast snacks and refreshments are also provided followed by a cookout picnic lunch.

Family activities include  the Fun Bus, face painting, clowns, temporary tattoos, yard games, dancing and crafts. Joining the Walk, 5K Run & Roll is easy!

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— an announcement from Star Inc.: Lighting the Way

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Simply complete a registration form with your contact information, age, t-shirt size, etc, If you would like to help STAR raise more funds, you can create or join a team and invite friends and family to join you! Most importantly — you’ll want to set a fundraising goal and then share it with all your social media contacts to beat it.

Getting started is easy … create your online fundraising page in just a few minutes:

1. Select the event button for 11th Annual STAR WALK, ROLL & STROLL.
2. Click the green REGISTER button.
3. Fill in your PERSONAL INFORMATION (or log in if you were a participant last year)
4. Join or create a TEAM
5. Personalize the TEXT and the PHOTO on your fundraising page to make it impactful.
6. Set your personal and team FUNDRAISING GOAL.
7. Share your link with your social media FRIENDS, FAMILY and COLLEAGUES.
8. BE A CHEERLEADER for STAR and your team so we all beat our goals together!

Schedule

Check in — 9 a.m.

Welcome & start — 10 a.m.

Family activities — 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Awards ceremony — 11:15 a.m.

Lunch — 11:30 a.m.

UPDATE: Notable Connecticut Runners Are Coming to the Event

Some notable Connecticut runners will be on hand at the event:

• 

  Paralympic athlete Chaz Davis

  Chaz Davis, a paralympic athlete, was stricken with Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy that eventually led to blindness but did not cease his running or studies at University of Hartford.

• Amy Dixon, a UCONN grad, is a paratriathlete for Team USA who has done inspirational speaking and hosted conferences for Challenged Athletes Foundation and organizations for the blind.
• James Randon, a New Canaan native, has already shattered historic running records as a student at Yale University, breaking the four-minute mile barrier.

The Walk, Run & Roll will also include appearances by Miss Connecticut USA Tiffany Teixeira, Miss Teen Connecticut USA Katy Brown, the Marvin Dancers, STORM of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers Hockey Team, Steve Avitabile Musician, children’s activities and demonstrations by Earthplace of Westport FUNBUS, and Painted You (face painting and air brush tattoos).

The event, which includes a 5K Run option this year, will kick off at 10 a.m. with a 5K run and 1K  routes suitable for any ability (walkers, strollers, wheelchairs and baby joggers are welcome).  Attendees can enjoy the demonstrations, cultural and community activities, continental breakfast and lunch, as well as the walk itself.

The “Walk, Run & Roll” event is a family fun day that celebrates all abilities and is a major annual fundraiser to benefit programs for STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way that benefit people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. About 800 participants and volunteers are expected to attend.

“This event has grown to become one of the yearly favorites for our clients and their families and friends because it is so special,” said Katie Banzhaf, executive director of STAR.

“It is also a very important event that raises critical funds to sustain our programs that face economic challenges and state budget cuts,” she said. “We are excited to add the 5K Run to the day that should introduce STAR to even more friends in the community.”

Registration begins at 9 a.m.

The event raises funds for programs serving infants, children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families in Norwalk, Westport, Weston, Wilton, New Canaan and Darien. STAR, a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization, has been based in Norwalk since 1952.

The registration fee for walkers and runners is $25. Children/students under 18 are $15 and those under age 5 are free. A family of runners and walkers can register for $65. For more information, visit the STAR web site or call Megan Johnson at STAR at 203-846-9581 ext 339. Participants are encouraged to set up their own fundraising team for the walk by registering online here.

Volunteers and Sponsors

Sponsors for the event include: Honda of Westport, People’s United Bank, Doree and Robert Levy, John and Mary Lee Danaher, People’s United Insurance, Bankwell, the Piorkowski family, MBI, Bartlett Tree Experts, Callari Auto Group, the Bosworth family, Charles Berg, Garavel Subaru and Gen Re.

In-Kind Sponsors include Stop & Shop, Miggs B Design, Miguel Cruz Photography, PEPSI, Fresh Market, New York Bakery, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods Markets, Village Market, Panera, ChalkTalk, HiTek Racing, Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Steve Avitabile Music, Earthplace and Massage Envy.

The event relies on the tremendous help of volunteers from Norwalk High School, Weston High School, Fairfield Prep, Norwalk Community College and People’s United Bank, as well as many individuals.

About STAR Inc.

STAR Inc., Lighting the Way is a not–for-profit organization serving 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 while  informing and encouraging the community to recognize and appreciate the value of all individuals.

For more information about STAR or to learn more about individual and corporate volunteer opportunities, visit www.STARct.org or contact Megan Johnson at 203-846-9581 x339.