Congressman Patrick Meehan to Serve as Honorary Starter for Child Guidance Resource Centers' Empower the Children 5k Run/Walk

(Havertown) – Child Guidance Resource Centers will be hosting the inaugural Empower the Children 5k Run/Walk.  The race will take place Saturday April 20th at 8:30am.  The course will take participants through the beautiful neighborhood of Westgate Hills in Havertown, PA.  Congressman Pat Meehan will serve as honorary starter to the race and festivities.  All proceeds will support Child Guidance’s therapeutic summer camps. This year, as a result of continued and increasing pressure from the state to reduce or eliminate funding of certain mental health services, the number of hours that are covered by insurance for camps like those at Child Guidance has been reduced. While Child Guidance considers a full-6 hour program, which was previously covered by insurance, to be the most therapeutically appropriate, children are now only covered for three hours  Child Guidance knows how much of a difference the six hours make for campers and is dedicated to providing the full summer camp experience regardless of campers’ individual ability to pay.  However, this decision leaves Child Guidance, a registered 501c3 non-profit organization, with a cost they cannot absorb themselves and requires that the organization request a co-pay from families that for many may be impossible to make.  The Empower the Children 5k Run/Walk Fundraiser will fully support scholarships for campers in need of services.

Along with the 5k run/walk, there will also be a 1 mile fun run for children (super hero costumes are encouraged!).  Trophies will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers.  Medals will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers in each age group.  The top three individual fundraisers will also be awarded.

Anyone interested in participating in the event is asked to visit www.runtheday.org to register for the event.  The registration fee is $25 for the 5k and $15 for the Fun Run.  All participants will receive a race t-shirt as well as a goodie bag. This will be a rain or shine family fun event with music, food and drinks.  Strollers and pets are more than welcome! 

Child Guidance Resource Centers is a community-based, behavioral healthcare organization with headquarters in Havertown, Pennsylvania.  With offices throughout the suburban counties and the State of Delaware, CGRC provides therapeutic, supportive, and preventive behavioral healthcare services addressing the needs of children and families with behavioral health, developmental disabilities, or residential care needs.