May 20, 2018; 8:30 am
 

Join us for this family-friendly 5K Race/Walk and 1K Fun Run at Fairfax Corner in Virginia on Sunday, May 20 and help make a difference!  This fundraising race is sponsored by Muskaan India, a US based 501(c)(3) non-profit that supports the mission of Muskaan, a non-government organization located in New Delhi, India.  In our past fundraising events, your support has been phenomenal and has allowed Muskaan to provide holistic development for its students including vocational and life skill training, family support services, and awareness and advocacy campaign efforts. The money raised through this event will support the newly opened branch of Muskaan in East Delhi that began in July 2017. Your support will help make a difference in spreading training and employment opportunities to another part of Delhi.  Expansion is critical in the community as it increases the awareness and importance of inclusivity of all persons in community and workplace settings.  

For more information about Muskaan, please visit www.muskaanthengo.org

Event Details:

8:00 am - Packet person/In-person registration begins

8:30 am – 5K Race/Walk Starts

9:00 am - Lead By Example Tae Kwon Do - Stretches & Demo Class

9:30 am – 1K Fun Run Starts

9:40 am – Awards Ceremony

10:00 am - Music Together of Vienna Demo Class

11:00 am – Event Closing 

5K Race/Walk: The race starts and finishes at the =PR= Fairfax location (11895 Grand Commons Ave., Fairfax, VA 22030) at Fairfax Corner. See course map here. This certified 5K course is flat, paved, and suitable for both serious runners and casual walkers. The race does allow strollers. 

Fun Run: The Fun Run will start and end at the =PR= Fairfax location (11895 Grand Commons Ave., Fairfax, VA 22030) at Fairfax Corner.  It is open to all ages.  The Fun Run will be approximately one mile. If you register for the 5K, you do not need to register again for the Fun Run. 

Registration Fees: Registration will be accepted online until 8:00 pm on Friday, May 18th.  In-person registrations will be available during packet pick up on Saturday, May 19th and at the race site Sunday morning starting at 8:00 am.

·      5k: $30 until March 30, $35 from April 1 through race day

·      1K: $15 until March 30, $20 from April 1 through race day 

Swag: Those registered prior to May 1, 2018 will be guaranteed a commemorative race t-shirt.  After May 1st, t-shirts will be available on first come, first served basis. 

Go the Extra Mile / Team Challenge!  Make it more fun! Set up your own fundraising page and team, set your goal, and collect donations from friends and families. Upon completion of your race registration you will be prompted to "Go the Extra Mile" and set up your very own fundraising page. Represent a family, school, company or a group of friends and compete against other teams! Register individuals as a team separately and list the team name when asked. Team name must be exactly the same for each team member. Teams consist of at least 4 individuals. Top 4 finishers’ times will be combined to determine the team's time. Top 2 overall teams will win and receive an award. 

Sponsorship Opportunities: This event would not be complete without our sponsors!  Thank you for your continued support.  We offer a variety of sponsorship levels that apply to businesses and families.  View all sponsorship opportunities here and then contact poonam.auluck@gmail.com for more information.

Packet Pick Up/Race Day Registration: Saturday, May 19: 11 AM – 2PM Potomac River Company in Fairfax Corner:11895 Grand Commons Ave., Fairfax, VA 22030

Post Race Activities: Will include finish line snacks, awards ceremony and a visit with our sponsors. 

Awards: Awards will be given top 2 overall Male and Female winners adn the top finisher in the following age groups; 10 & under, 11-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 & over

Additional information about Muskaan: Muskaan Indian is a US based 501(c)(3) non-profit that supports the mission of Muskaan, a non-government organization located in New Delhi, India. Muskaan was founded in 1982, to fill a severe social need for an organization that would enable individuals with intellectual disabilities to realize their full potential and learn to advocate for their rights.  Its core mission was to create acceptance and understanding of disabled persons in the larger population. Accordingly, Muskaan’s main projects include adult training and employment, family support services, awareness and advocacy for their human rights, and maintenance of a safe and dignified life after the demise of their parents.

The seed that sprouted this organization was a reaction to the general state of neglecting and marginalizing individuals with intellectual disabilities because they were different from the norm. Society’s narrow minded belief system would not accept them, let alone believe they could become self-reliant and self sufficient individuals. Today, Muskaan stands as an organization which has broken through those prejudices by demonstrating that the opposite is true---individuals with intellectual disabilities can achieve self reliance and become productive, valued members of the community. By building cognitive, social, vocational, emotional and physical capacities, Muskaan emboldens their students’ self-esteem and dignity. Muskaan celebrates the joy of their world in a society which accepts them as equals. To dispel the popular, inaccurate and often deeply biased notions about individuals with intellectual disabilities, Muskaan’s mission also involves spreading awareness in the general population and ensuring the students receive what is rightfully theirs. 

Since inception in the US in 1998, Muskaan India has funded over $150,000 in programs. The most important program is training and employment which supports people with intellectual disabilities learn vocational and life skills, enabling them to live a fuller life with dignity.

For More Information: Visit the event blog site for event details, sponsors, photos, and more! www.celebratingsimplejoys.wordpress.com