Online registration is open for Zoe’s Race 2018. This annual fundraiser that helps make homes accessible for children and families will celebrate its 10th anniversary on Sunday, August 26, at Oakledge Park in Burlington.
BURLINGTON, VT—Online registration is open for Zoe’s Race 2018. This annual fundraiser that helps make homes accessible for children and families will celebrate its 10th anniversary on Sunday, August 26, at Oakledge Park in Burlington.
NEW THIS YEAR: To celebrate the anniversary, race organizers have added a 10K option to the usual
1K Fun Run and 5K Run/Walk. Thanks to a generous sponsorship from Marsh & McLennan Agency
LLC, registration for the 1K Fun Run is FREE for children 17 and younger. Additional sponsors
include Bio-Medic, Karen Allen Law, The Medical Store, and New England Flooring. As in past years,
the Hokum Brothers will entertain and motivate runners at the start of each race and throughout the
morning. All 1K fun run participants who register before July 31 will be guaranteed a medal and t-shirt.
Prizes will be awarded for the top fundraisers.
To date, the event has raised more than $200,000 with support from numerous local businesses and
individuals and has completed 19 home accessibility projects. Whether the modifications involve
remodeling a bathroom, adding an entrance ramp, or enlarging doorways, the improvements have a
lasting impact in the daily lives of young Howard Center clients and their families. One mother, a recent
recipient of an accessibility modification says, “It’s about much more than updating a bathroom that is
not safe and functional. It’s about providing hope and a better quality of life for those who truly need it.”
The idea for the race was sparked in 2009, when Erika Nestor began a remodeling project to make her
home accessible for her daughter Zoe. Zoe, who is now 15 years old, is in a wheelchair as a result of a
near drowning accident when she was 18 months old. Erika was thankful that she was able to make her
home accessible, but worried about other families that may not be so fortunate. She teamed up with
Howard Center and Zoe’s Race was born.
In addition to the runners, walkers, and sponsors who contribute to the event, numerous local
businesses provide services and materials for the projects. Since its inception, architect Chris Brown of
brown + davis design and contractor Rob Peeters of Second Gen Builders have made substantial
contributions of time and talent.
For more information, registration, or to become a sponsor, visit www.howardcenter.org or
www.zoesrace.org.
Last year, Howard Center helped 16,000 people in over 60 locations and six counties with their
mental health needs, substance use conditions, and developmental services. Howard Center’s
24/7/365 mobile crisis service, First Call for Chittenden County, relies on one team and one number,
802-488-7777, to meet the needs of Chittenden County children, adults, and families in crisis.
Howard Center is a funded agency of the United Way of Northwest Vermont. www.howardenter.org.
Help is here.