Greater Union Township Chamber Plans 13th Annual Mayor’s Day 5K Run

UNION, NJ – Hosted by the Greater Union Township Chamber of Commerce, the 13 ^th Annual Mayor’s Day 5K Run will take place on Sunday, Sept. 29 with a portion of the proceeds going to help defray the medical expenses of four-month-old Leighton, who was born two months prematurely and has been in the hospital since her birth.

Leighton was expected to arrive in April of this year. However, she arrived prematurely at the end of February.  Her prognosis was not good. The doctors had given her hours and then days to live. She remained in the NICU at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center for several weeks before being transferred to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). She has not been home since birth and will require 24-hour care upon discharge.  Leighton has a feeding tube and other medical issues which require her mom and family friends to be trained to care for her, including nursing services, feeding and life-caring skills for her development.  Leighton's family are longtime residents of Union. The family currently resides in Roselle Park.

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Runners and walkers of all levels are invited to join the 5K Run.  According to Chamber CEO James Masterson a committee is actively working over the summer to plan and expand this year’s event. Shake A Paw Center for Rescue and Adoption of Union has signed on as a Major Event Sponsor for the eighth time in a row.

Held rain or shine, the race will start and end at Union High School on Cooke Drive, following a course certified by USA Track and Field. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with the actual race commencing at 9:00.

“This year marks the 13th anniversary of this very popular community event, and we are working to encourage another great turnout, as we are helping a very special little baby,” said Masterson. “We are grateful to the Township of Union Board of Education for generously hosting this event, and we hope for great participation once again this year. It is always an enjoyable day for the community!”

Prizes will be awarded for various age categories, and t-shirts and gift bags will be distributed to the first 300 registrants.

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To register, click HERE , and enter Mayor’s Day 5K. Further information is available by contacting the Chamber directly at 908-688-2777, visiting www.unionchamber.com or emailing the Chamber atexecutivedirector@unionchamber.com.

Businesses wishing to become a sponsor may contact Masterson at executivedirector@unionchamber.com for a listing of the various levels of support. All sponsorships include a table at the event for businesses to highlight their companies, as well as a listing and/or logo on the 5K t-shirt.

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