Thursday, February 15, 2007

2007 Mardi Gras Run to aid North Texas homeless children

By Pegasus News wire

DALLAS — Join a parade of costumed runners Saturday, February 17, to help celebrate the ninth annual Mardi Gras Run presented by Nissan, one of the largest Mardi Gras-related events in the Metroplex. The event, held on McKinney Avenue near Uptown’s Hard Rock Café, benefits Captain Hope’s Kids, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to meeting the critical needs of North Texas homeless children.

Organizers anticipate over 2,500 runners, walkers and spectators, many dressed in festive costumes, masks and beads. The main events include a two-mile race and a four-mile race, followed by a Mardi Gras celebration and costume contest. Prizes will be awarded to the top runners and the best costume.

"Nissan is proud to sponsor the 2007 Mardi Gras Run, as we support Captain Hope’s Kids commitment to the most vulnerable members of our communities – homeless children,” said Jeff Edwards, Vice President of Nissan Motor Acceptance Corporation. “We look forward to cheering on all our neighbors who will join us to walk and run on February 17 to raise funds for homeless children.”

This event is for the entire family to enjoy. Listen to live music and feast on red beans and rice while your children play in the bounce house and get their faces painted. Even pets can participate by wearing costumes and entering the Best Dressed Pet contest.

Though he suffers from a mild identity crisis (is he a bear, hamster or just an ear-challenged rabbit?) one thing's for sure: Captain Hope is a party animal.

Participants are asked to bring a donation of diapers, wipes or formula to the event. Monetary donations will also be accepted to help purchase items necessary to meet the critical needs of North Texas homeless children.

“Each night, as many as 1,200 children are without a home in the Dallas/Fort Worth area,” says Jeanne Reyer, executive director of Captain Hope’s Kids. “Through this event, we aim to raise community awareness about this serious problem and to help provide the Metroplex’s shelters with the supplies they need to care for their homeless children. We thank Nissan and all of our sponsors for helping us carry out our mission.”

Race information and on-line registration is available at www.mardigrasrun.com.

About Captain Hope’s Kids:

For the past 18 years, Captain Hope’s Kids (a 501-c-3 organization) has been dedicated to meeting the critical needs of homeless children with donations of time, money, and educational items. The Status Report on Homelessness in America's Cities reveals that the number of children in homeless shelters is 2.5 times greater than the current student body at The University of Texas. Infants and toddlers make up the fastest growing population of homeless in the United States, and the average age of a homeless person in North Texas is five years old.

Posted by Chad J.

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• Charity
• Poverty > Homeless