Geraldo Rivera, Honorary Chair of United States Largest Charity 5K
Geraldo Rivera, Honorary Chair of United States Largest Charity 5K
Published on 11/22/2011
Community Options, a national nonprofit organization with the mission to develop homes and employment for people with disabilities is preparing to host for its fourth year in a row, the Cupid’s Chase 5K Run.
The Cupid’s Chase 5K Run is the largest, national, simultaneous 5K Run in the country held by any nonprofit organization. With 5K’s held in 25 cities across 10 states on the same day and same time, the Cupid’s Chase offers participants great prizes and giveaways, certified USATF courses and even the opportunity to make a love connection by choosing an “Available” or “Unavailable” shirt to wear. And yes, there have been love connections made as a result of this event over the years.
This year, the organization gained support from Geraldo Rivera as the National Honorary Cupid’s Chase 5K Run Chair. It has been forty years since Rivera exposed the abuse and neglect at the Willowbrook State School and since that time, great strides have been made towards the de-institutionalization movement and Community Options is one of the pioneers of this movement.
“This grand event, the Cupid’s Chase 5K Run is a heart-warming testament to the idea that we’re all in this together. What an idea! Tens of thousands of big-hearted folks from 25 cities across ten different states all running as a compassionate demonstration of their commitment to find appropriate housing and employment for all, regardless of the challenges of developmental disabilities. Bravo to all who run or support those who do,” says Rivera.
Rivera is not alone in his support of Community Options’ mission of supporting people with disabilities. First Lady Anita Perry also supports the mission of Community Options by being the Honorary Chair of the Texas Cupid’s Chase 5K Run.
“It is a privilege to serve as Honorary Chair of the Texas Cupid’s Chase and be part of a simultaneous, multi-state, multi-city event to help empower people with disabilities. The idea of tens of thousands people participating in this 5K for a shared goal is heartwarming and admirable,” says Perry.
Other notable support for Community Options and the Cupid’s Chase 5K Run includes Governor Nikki Haley of South Carolina, Chuck Franco, First Gentleman of New Mexico, Discovery Channel’s Storm Chasers, Reed Timmer and Chris Chittick, Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman of Connecticut, Peter Shankman, Founder of Help a Reporter Out (HARO), Lt. Governor Sheila Simon of Illinois, Scott Brown, United States Rowing Para Olympian, First Lady Mary Pat Christie of New Jersey and Amy and David Bybee, Professional Athletes out of Kentucky.
“We are amazed at how fast this event has spread across the country and we are proud to call this event our organization’s headline charity event,” said Robert Stack, Founder, President and CEO of Community Options. “We hope that participants realize the dramatic impact they are having on improving the lives of people with disabilities across the country by simply registering for the event,” he added.
The Cupid’s Chase 5K Run will take place on Saturday, February 11, 2012. To register for the event, you can visit www.comop.org/ cupidschase. To join the Cupid’s Chase on Facebook, you can visit www.facebook.com/cupidschase. Geraldo Rivera Cupid’s Chase 2011 Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XaryeiZDpLA