Johnny’s Jog for Charity, Inc. is hosting the 6th Annual St. Patrick’s Day-themed 5K on March 19 in West Hartford Center to benefit three local non-profit children’s organizations. 

The sixth annual Irish-themed Johnny’s Jog for Charity will kick off at West Hartford Town Hall on March 19. Submitted photo

Submitted

Celebrating its sixth successful year in a row, the Johnny’s Jog 5K will be held Saturday March 19, 2016, in West Hartford.

With its usual outdoor fun and Irish festivities, the event will start and finish at the West Hartford Town Hall. Participants are welcomed to run, walk, and push strollers, or show support of the event with family and friends. Individuals have the opportunity to register as a team and raise awareness and donations as part of a team.

With the sounds of Irish music in the air throughout the day, bagpipers will send 5K participants off with a tune and welcome them home again. As in years past, event goers can expect to see exciting appearances from one of West Hartford’s fire engines for children to tour, Irish step-dancers from the Coogan School of Irish Dance, as well as a clown, leprechaun, face painters, balloons, and prizes for “Best Irish Garb.”

Johnny’s Jog sponsor Rizzuto’s Restaurant and Bar in Blue Back Square will host the after party and raffle that all are welcome to attend.

Johnny’s Jog for Charity is proud to welcome Keller Williams Reality in their inaugural year as the event’s Grand St. Patrick’s Club Sponsor.

Founded by West Hartford residents Dan and Kelly Clark and Dan and Laura Moran, Johnny’s Jog Charity, Inc. is inspired by a young boy, Johnny Moran, who has bravely battled an unknown neuromuscular condition since birth. With the unending love and support of so many individuals and organizations, Johnny continues to persevere through life’s many challenges.

The vision of “Johnny’s Jog for Charity” is to bring the community together with a grand St. Patrick’s Day themed event benefiting local non-profit children’s organizations, so they can continue to provide assistance to children and their families. “Each year, we love seeing the community come together to support these wonderful children’s organizations! Ever since the first Johnny’s Jog for Charity 5K, the event has grown annually, bringing in new participants and raising more for these important causes. We are so thankful to all of our sponsors, volunteers and participants who help make this event a tremendous success!” says co-founder Kelly Clark.

Three Non-Profit Children’s Organizations will be the recipients of this year’s event.

• Covenant Preparatory School: a non-profit organization providing tuition-free middle school to boys of under-served families in the City of Hartford. The goal is to graduate young men who are academically prepared for further education (www.covenantprep.org).
• Molly Ann Tango Memorial Foundation: a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children with special needs and their families by helping to finance the purchase of much-needed medical equipment and services when insurance is exhausted and other social programs are not available (www.mollytango.org).
• The Miracle League of Connecticut: New England’s first “Miracle League” baseball league is preparing for its fifth season here in West Hartford. The goal of the league has been to build a field and community that removes all barriers so young athletes with unique needs are able to join their friends and experience the joy and triumph of team sports in their purest form. (www.miracleleaguect.org)

To register for the 5K, make a donation, or to inquire about corporate sponsorship please visit www.johnnysjog.com or follow on Facebook www.facebook.com/johnnysjogforcharity.