ATLANTIC CITY - Nearly 300 people hit the boards Sunday, April 16 to make a difference in the lives of those battling Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
The Seashore Gardens Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to enriching elder lives, hosted its 13th annual Seashore Gardens 5K Run & Health Walk and 1 Mile Family Fun Run & Walk on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. The event is the primary fundraiser for the foundation's Alzheimer's and dementia programs.
As the first event since the sale of Seashore Gardens Living Center was announced, the tremendous support that we received reinforces the important role that the Foundation will continue to provide in our community, foundation board member Janice Cambron said. As proceeds continue to come in, we are pleased to report that we have netted over $17,000.
Many of the participants were there because of a personal connection to Alzheimer's or dementia.
Frank and Jayne Marascio brought family and friends for the second year in a row to honor their mother, a resident of Seashore Gardens Living Center.
Hearing of her Wednesday gardening experiences and seeing the Sunday circle group, with residents talking about past and present topics, is so heartwarming, Frank Marascio said. With the help of the foundation, we can continue these wonderful activities and other intangibles that makes Seashore Gardens the absolute best.
Runners and walkers of all ages participated.
Betsey Ford-Ochs ran for Team Run Ford Strong in honor of her mother. Betsy and husband Rob brought along 9-month-old Julia and 3-year-old Charlie in a jogging stroller. Charlie also did the fun run in honor of his Mima.
It's such a scary, taxing journey, Betsey For-Ochs said. It never happens at a good time. All of a sudden, you're hit with this terrifying chapter where the people you love are sick and you don't know how to care for them, and they may not want to be cared for. My parents needed care that I couldn't provide. If not for Seashore Gardens, I don't know where we would be.
Among the largest teams were the Atlantic/Cape May County subchapter of the Philippine Nurses Association of New Jersey, Inc., which included about a dozen nurses from different South Jersey hospitals.
Funds raised support horticultural therapy classes for the Golden Sunflowers, the garden group for those with Alzheimer's and dementia at SGLC, and to the Music & MemorySM program.
The Run & Health Walk started and ended at Stockton University's Atlantic City Campus. Stockton Atlantic City bCOO Brian Jackson noted the university's longstanding relationship with Seashore Gardens. Stockton students, staff and administrators were among those who participated in the event.
Robin Stoloff was mistress of ceremonies. Miss Shore Resort Molly Marie Pugliese sang the national anthem. Optima Health led the warm-up. The Galloway Township EMS Squad provided emergency services. Sigma Alpha Epsilon members volunteered. Scott Brown Insurance Agency and Stockton University were presenting sponsors.
Stephen Augustyn of Ventnor placed first as top overall male runner with a time of 17:35. Grace Napoli of Pompton Lakes was top overall female runner with a time of 21:50. The youngest winner, Sahara Fitzgerald, age 5, of Bayville, was the top female in the age 1-14 category. The oldest winner, Basil Beck, age 86, was the top male in the age 80+ category. Results were tracked by JB Sports Timing.
The committee of volunteers who helped to plan the event included Chairman Eric Share, Brian Jackson, Michael Baker, Fran Streeper Janice Cambron, Scott Brown, Antonio Tronco, Nicole Goodson, Erin Luurtsema and Sharon D'Angio.
