On September 30, 2017, Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice will host the second annual “Celebrate Life 5k Walk.” The event, held at the New Jersey State Fairgrounds in Augusta, will start at 9:00 a.m. Pre-registration starts at 9:00 a.m. and opening ceremonies at 9:30. The walk is a way to help those dealing with a loss celebrate the life and memory of loved ones who have passed.
Dealing with the loss of a loved one is an emotional process that each person handles differently. The Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center offers support to members of the community who are going through the grieving process. The proceeds from the walk will benefit the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center located on 5 Plains Road in Augusta, NJ. Satellite offices are located on Washington Street in Hackettstown and The United Methodist Church in Milford, PA.
The Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center, which is funded by donations from the community, provides grief support and counseling for hospice families and the community regardless of a families ability to pay. The staff works to bring comfort and understanding to help families through difficult times. Individual counseling and ongoing support groups are offered. Support groups include: anticipatory grief support, school bereavement support, memorial services, grief lecture series, children’s bereavement art program and pet loss support.
People interested in participating in the walk can register online at KarenAnnQuinlanHospice.org/Walk. The cost is $25 for adults and $15 for participants 13 and under. Vendor applications are also being accepted for $25. Registrations will also be accepted at the “Celebrate Life 5k” walk kick-off party which will be held on Friday, September 29 in the Romano Conference Center at Newton Medical Center from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. All walkers are invited to attend the kick-off to register, grab a healthy snack and get their t-shirt.
New at this year’s event we will have a Memory Wall sponsored by BIGGS Kids. Participants are encouraged to bring a photo of their loved one to place on the Memory Wall. Each year we will display past photos as well as encourage new one to be placed. We will also have a memory celebration with the lighting of a symbolic Memorial Light. The light will then be on permanent display at the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center.
Registrants are encouraged to form a team to raise funds. There will be prizes awarded to individuals and teams who raise the most money. Individuals who raise $100 or more will get a memorial marker with their loved one’s name displayed along the walk route. All money raised will stay in the community and benefit the Bereavement Center.
Please call 973-383-0115 ext. 145 for more information on how you can get involved. If you are unable to walk we always have need for volunteers to help out on the day of the event. On September 30, we will all walk together so that no one has to walk alone.