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National Nonprofit to Host Largest Charity Run in the United States

(Philanthropy, Fitness, Health, Running, Sports, Nonprofit)
October 3, 2011– (Princeton, New Jersey) – 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 24 cities across 10 states on the same day and same time, the Cupid’s Chase offers participants great prizes and giveaways, certified USTAF 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.

Last year the organization hosted over 10,000 participants across the country and this number is anticipated to double on Saturday, February 11, 2012. From New York to New Mexico, there are a plethora of cities for participants to choose from including major cities like New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas and Nashville.

The Cupid’s Chase appoints an Honorary Chair in each state to draw more attention to the event to raise money for people with disabilities. For 2012, Peter Shankman, Founder of HARO (Help a Reporter Out) is the Honorary Chair for New York and says, “I run because I know the benefits of it. I also know how much physical fitness matters in our country. I’m thrilled that I can help support the 2012 Cupid Chase, a great cause with great results.”

Lt. Governor Wyman is the Honorary Chair of Connecticut and she understands the importance of the Cupid’s Chase as it relates to carrying out the mission of Community Options. “Here in Connecticut, Governor Malloy and I are committed to maintaining the social safety net even in the face of serious budget challenges – and this is exactly the kind of event that helps do that, she said.”

“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.

Other honorary chairs include the First Lady of New Jersey, Mary Pat Christie, First Lady of Texas, Anita Perry, Chuck Franco, First Gentleman of New Mexico, Scott Brown of Pennsylvania and Para Olympian, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon of Illinois, Governor Nikki Haley of South Carolina and Reed Timmer and Chris Chittick of Discovery Channel’s Storm Chasers in Tennessee.

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.

About Community Options: Community Options is a national nonprofit organization founded in 1989 by Robert Stack that works to develop homes and employment for people with disabilities. Community Options operates in 37 cities across 10 states supporting thousands of people with disabilities and their families with the help of over 2,500 employees. ###