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Retail News: 17th Annual Dunn’s Run to Benefit The Boys & Girls Club of Broward County August 21, 2013 (0 comments)
Deerfield Beach, FL—The 17th Annual Dunn's Run will be held Sunday, October 6, 2013. The run, founded by jeweler Jim Dunn, owner of J.R. Dunn Jewelers, benefits The Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County.
Dunn's Run has earned its reputation as the race that signals the start of the running season in South Florida. The event attracts more than 2,000 runners, walkers, and other participants in a family-friendly event for everyone regardless of ability.
“I can’t believe another year is approaching for Dunn’s Run. This year will be one of the most exciting runs we’ve had due to the new course change,” said Jim Dunn. “Thanks to the City of Deerfield, we will now be allowed to go down the entire Deerfield Beach area. Runners and walkers will enjoy one of South Florida’s natural treasures, the entire coastline of Deerfield Beach.
“J.R. Dunn Jewelers is proud to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, as well as other local businesses and individual participants who make this event possible each year. Together, we have helped raise more than $3 million in the 17-year tenure of Dunn’s Run and look forward to the event for many years to come,” said Dunn.
“The 17th Annual Dunn’s Run is an important event for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County. The revenue generated enables us to continue to provide for more than 12,000 at-risk youth who rely on their local club as a safe alternative to the streets,” said Brian Quail, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County.
Left to right: Matt Organ, executive vice president of the Boys & Girls Club, Brian Quail, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward, and runner Brent Spechler at last year's run.
At the Boys & Girls Club, there is a place a child can go to get away from pressures of peers, drugs, gangs, broken homes, and overcrowding and the disadvantages circumstances of poor education, low income, unemployment, and poor homes where love and attention are lacking. It’s a place for fun, companionship, or just to hang out. The purpose is to help young people ages 6-18 improve their lives by building self-esteem and developing values and skills during their critical period of growth. Services and programs provided focus on everything from education, social recreation, health and physical education, to leadership and citizenship development, cultural enrichment, and personal adjustment with one-on-one counseling. Membership is open to all boys and girls ages 6-18. The membership fee to send a child to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County is $15.00; however, the total cost to send a child to the BGCBC is almost $800.00 per child. Events like the Dunn's Run help offset those cost so a child is given a chance at a positive life, says Quail. National statistics document an average of 46% reduction in juvenile arrests in locations where Boys & Girls Clubs have opened.
National Boys & Girls Club alumni include Shaquille O'Neal, Bill Cosby, Alex Rodriguez, Brad Pitt, Kerry Washington, Michael Jordan, President Clinton, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Martin Sheen, Jennifer Lopez, Queen Latifah, Derek Jeter and Denzel Washington.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County provides an equal opportunity for all clients to receive access to services regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion or national origin.
Non-running activities this year will include TD the Dolphin, Billy the Marlin, Stanley C. Panther, a bounce house, paint a fire truck, and more. The entry fee is $35.00 or less depending on age; all proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County. Corporate sponsors, team leaders, family, and individual participants are encouraged to form teams and run together. Breakfast will be provided by Panera Bread. Top fundraisers will receive prizes including Honora pearls, T-shirts, Brooks sneakers, a Garmin Forerunner 210, and more.