OVER 4,000 ATTEND THE 11TH ANNIVERSARY WALK & RUN

The Bennett Cancer Center WALK & RUN celebrated its 11th anniversary on June 4, 2006 with a warm, sunshiny day that attracted more than 4,000 to Stamford’s Shippan Point. Participants took to the streets to commemorate National Cancer Survivors Day®, raise vital dollars for local cancer programs and services, and honor those whose lives have been touched by the disease.

The community responded with great enthusiasm and generosity to this year’s anniversary event. While results are still being tabulated, nearly $700,000 has already been collected — more than half of the event’s $1 million goal.

“We are confident that this year’s event will raise a record amount for The Bennett Cancer Center’s programs and services,” stated, H. Darrell Harvey of The Ashforth Company. “Every dollar donated to The WALK & RUN makes a difference in the lives of local cancer patients — whether providing state-of-the-art treatments, or free rides back and forth to treatments. We are overjoyed with the success of the 11th Anniversary event, and thank everyone who participated for making it such a wonderful day.”

On event day, participants from all over Fairfield and Westchester counties descended upon Stamford’s Czecik Park, and at 9:00 a.m., a record 350 runners completed the 5K RUN.

At 10:00 a.m., after a welcome from Jeff Gage, the event’s Chairperson, H. Darrell Harvey of The Ashforth Company, and Stamford Hospital President & CEO Brian Grissler, thousands of walkers stepped off to begin The WALK. The crowd was led down Shippan Avenue by The Friday Girls’ team, which earned this privilege by turning in $29,500 in donations prior to event day. The Ashforth team raised over $28,000 for the Bennett Cancer Center.

The Ashforth Company was one of 135 corporate-based teams this year. Ashforth’s team had 50 members who raised $28,110. Last year’s 72-member team raised $18,995. Special thanks for an outstanding job to Tiffany Chiappetta and Carl Smith, Ashforth’s WALK & RUN team captains.

Once again the Company challenged employees to raise money and, as an incentive and appreciation, awarded personal days off. This year, Ashforth’s top fundraiser was Jeff Gage of Albert B. Ashforth, Inc. who collected $13,030. The Company awarded Jeff with The Ashforth Company’s Walker of the Year Award for Outstanding Community Service and Commitment. He was also awarded three personal days off during 2005. The first runner up was Carla Smithof Ashforth’s Legal department who collected $3,335. Carlawas awarded two days off. Employees who collected over $500 were awarded a half-day off and are Lori Blessey, Jim Brady, Kim DePra, Darrell Harvey, Teresa Intrieri and Janine McCormick. All walkers that collected more than $750 will be recognized as a “Pacesetter” at a special dinner reception and receive an exclusive gift this coming October. A special thanks goes to Ashforth’s top fundraisers. 

Save the date: Next year’s event is scheduled for
Sunday, June 3, 2007.

Visit www.thewalkandrun.org