Rutgers/LEAP walkathon over Ben Franklin Bridge raises $4,600

May 20, 2011

More than 120 students, parents, and community members from LEAP Academy, Rutgers University, and Camden City walked across the Ben Franklin Bridge on Saturday, May 14th as part of a fundraiser to help support construction of a school for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in the city.

The 2nd Annual “LEAP Across the Bridge” Walkathon & Health Fair raised money for the John S. and James L. Knight Early Learning Research Academy, a new birth-to-five learning and research center at Rutgers–Camden.

Following the three-mile roundtrip walk, nearly 250 people gathered at LEAP Elementary School for a community health fair, which featured health education activities and entertainment to raise health awareness for youth in the city, specifically childhood obesity. 

Contributions are still being collected but so far LEAP’s Walkathon & Health Fair has raised $3,500 for the Knight ELRA, money which will support the construction of an outdoor playground for the school. 

In addition, organizations including Aramark, Rita’s Water Ice, UMDNJ, and Wegmans donated $1,075 in refreshments and other in-kind services for the Health Fair. 

The event was organized by the Rutgers CSUCL’s Family Support Center as part of its mission to provide academic, health, and human services to families and students at LEAP and in Camden City. 

“It was a truly wonderful event,” said Gladys Robreno, Senior Administrator for the Family Support Center.  “We accomplished our goals to bring LEAP together as one community, one family, while improving the health of our community and raising a significant amount of money for a great cause.” 

The LEAP Center for Parent Engagement and 21th Century Community Learning Center also coordinated the event, which featured a live DJ, face painting, and exercise programs, plus health kiosks staffed by the American Heart Association and Cooper Family Medicine with health information for families. 

You can still support the Walkathon and Health Fair by making a donation, or by purchasing official “LEAP Across the Bridge” t-shirts for a discounted price of $5.00. 

Contact
Gladys Robreno
E-mail: grobreno@camden.rutgers.edu
Phone: 856.614.0400 ext. 5030