The Virtual Run for Woods 2020

September 4, 2020

Text run4woods to 71777 or visit runforwoods.org

THE 6TH ANNUAL RUN FOR WOODS HAS GONE VIRTUAL!

This September, make a difference by raising funds and awareness for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and acquired brain injury. Building on more than 100 years of experience, Woods is making transformational changes and investments to better meet the needs of the 675 individuals we serve.

Support this exciting transformation by joining us for our Virtual Run for Woods 2020, a unique take on what is our sixth annual fundraiser.

The current pandemic has changed our lives – our health, social lives, finances, and so much more. Masking up and staying distanced ensure our safety. To do our part while helping ensure Woods’ future, we have rescheduled the Run for Woods as a virtual event for Sept. 12.

What’s the purpose of the Virtual Run for Woods 2020?

The Virtual Run for Woods 2020 is all about being healthy, having fun, and accomplishing your own personal goals! It’s an event that you can run, walk, treadmill, or bike from any location you choose while supporting a great cause! Going virtual gives you the freedom to pursue your own route and the ability to be a part of something special.

What will the event on Sept. 12 look like?

Join us Sept. 12 at 10 a.m. as we kick off the run with a live broadcast of our Run for Woods from this site. Our stream will be a Zoom-style chat highlighting leaders and residents of Woods, runners and movers from their unique locations, sponsors, entertainment, and more!

What else is going on? What if I’m not able to join on Sept. 12?

This event on Sept. 12 simply kicks off a campaign that will last the entire month. Do your route on your own time and share it on our Strava club or submit a screenshot to liam.mckenna@woods.org. Don’t forget to post #runforwoods on social along with a selfie at your finish line.

We may not be able to be together for the run, but we can gather virtually and support people with challenges and disabilities.

Create or join a team.

Run your own text-to-donate campaign.

Let’s do this together but distanced on September 12 at 10 a.m. as we begin a special 6th annual Run for Woods.

How much does registration cost?

REGISTRATION IS FREE! Our virtual event is a fundraiser, so please donate what you can. Registering for the event provides you with the additional option of purchasing a $15 t-shirt. If you can’t participate, you have the option to simply make a donation.

Six ways to join us

Register for free and donate what you can @ https://app.mobilecause.com/form/0ke7GA?vid=aahk5. From there, you will be able to . . .
Create your fundraising page at https://app.mobilecause.com/join/woods/run4woods?vid=avu3b.
Create a team with your family friends!
RUN, WALK, ROLL, ROW, CYCLE, DANCE – Exercise however you choose, track it, and share it on social with a homemade sign that shows your support for the #runforwoods.
Join us as we host the Virtual Run for Woods 2020 ceremony on Sept. 12 at 10 a.m. on this site!
Continue staying active and sharing throughout September! Join us on Strava: https://www.strava.com/clubs/woodschamps.

Your donation and raising awareness moves the lives of those with challenges and disabilities closer to their fullest potential!

On your mark. Get set. GO!

Get ready to have some healthy fun for a great cause at the virtual Run for Woods September 12, 2020, at 10 a.m.

Questions? Please contact Diana Martinelli at diana.martinelli@woods.org.

1,000 Cross the Finish Line at 4th Annual Run for Woods

May 16, 2018

A beautiful spring day set the scene as 1,000 runners, walkers, and rollers participated in the 4th annual Run for Woods on Saturday, May 5th. Eighty volunteers served as course marshals, assisted with registration, staffed the lunch lines and presented well deserved medals to all who crossed the finish line. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick received Woods’ Humanitarian Award at the Opening Ceremony and State Representative Frank Farry served as the official starter.

The event attracted 77 teams, including a large team from Johnson, Kendall & Johnson. Twenty JKJ employees raised $11,000 for Woods in addition to the $10,000 Gold Sponsorship provided by the insurance and risk management company.

“My favorite part of the Run experience was feeling and seeing the exuberance and energy of all of the participants and the staff, as well as knowing that my participation in the race was helping to make a difference in lives of many people who truly need our help,” said Kathy Glenn, Administrative Assistant for JKJ.

Woodlands resident Patrick Scotto, 21, welcomed the enthusiastic crowd prior to the start of the Run and shared his story. Patrick has worked for the last year in Woods’ Café, “Common Grounds” where he takes orders, prepares food, stocks shelves and works the cash register. Patrick expressed his appreciation for the Woods staff who, “have helped me recognize right from wrong and treated me with respect. It is because of my staff that I am able to treat others the way they want to be treated.”

Awards were presented to the Top Individual Fundraiser: Whit Park, a Woods resident who raised $5690, the Top Fundraising Team, Ciocca Subaru, which raised $13,685, and the Largest Team, the Woodlands Warriors, with 68 participants including residents and staff.

Following the run/walk, Outback Steakhouse and Carrabba’s Italian Grill prepared and donated a lunch of ribs, steak, pasta and chicken for a hungry crowd of 800. Drinks were donated by Pepsi and Wawa and participants dined outside together under a huge white tent.

Thanks to the generosity of 10 Faulkner Ciocca Dealerships that raised a whopping $73,000 for Woods this year, and had a record-breaking turnout, more than $194,000 was raised at the Run. Funds raised at the run/walk support Woods’ Greatest Need, which this year includes the expansion of the Davenport Medical Center at Woods, which provides care for both residents and staff.

The newest dealership to participate was Ciocca Chevrolet of Princeton, which recruited nearly 30 team members for its Princeton Princes and Princesses team – all sporting tiaras! Michael Minetti, Parts and Service Director for Ciocca, stated “We are blessed with employees who believe that we are a family and understood the importance of the Run. Our employees were excited to be a part of something that benefited people in need.”

Three Woods residents were named “Ambassadors of the Run” this year: Jason Speer, Whit Park and Adam Greene, helping to get the word out about the event. Adam, a Beechwood NeuroRehab resident, visited Ciocca Chevrolet of Princeton and shared the story of his acquired brain injury and the improved quality of life that he enjoys now as a result of the services he receives at Beechwood NeuroRehab, a program of Woods.

Adam was so inspiring that the dealership registered one dozen participants and raised $500 in just one hour! He was rewarded with a spin in a brand new convertible Corvette. Additional fun elements that were significant at the award-winning Run for Woods this year included character visits with super heroes and princesses, complimentary fruit smoothies to quench your thirst, game tables and prizes from Dave & Busters, and singing and dance performances that were enjoyed by all.

Carrabba’s and Outback to Partner with Woods Services for Second Straight Year

March 27, 2018

Woods Services will hold its award-winning Run for Woods 5K and 1 Mile Fun Walk on Saturday, May 5, 2018. This is the fourth year that the event will be presented by Faulkner-Ciocca Dealerships. Participants will enjoy a post-event steak, chicken and pasta lunch donated by Carrabba’s Italian Grill and Outback Steakhouse. More than 1,100 individuals are expected to participate and raise $200,000 for the 675 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities served by Woods. These children and adults have complex medical, behavioral and emotional challenges that prevent them from living successfully at home and in the community. Woods relies on funds raised at the Run to help provide the appropriate level of support they need to live a fulfilling life.

“We are so excited that our friends at Carrabba’s and Outback Steakhouse in Bensalem will be coming back this year. Their food was amazing last year and we received so many wonderful compliments after the 5K including one runner who wrote, ‘best food ever at a 5K!’” said Hilary Stephens, Vice President of Development for Woods. “Carrabba’s and Outback join the nine Faulkner-Ciocca dealerships making a real difference at Woods. They are corporate leaders from our community who want to learn firsthand about the inspiring lives of the people we serve.”

Last week, the Run for Woods received two special awards from the Bucks Happening List Contest: “Best Outdoor Event” and “Best Fundraiser” in Bucks County. As an organization, Woods was named a finalist in the Best Charity category as well. Members of the community are encouraged to join Woods residents and their families by running, walking, or rolling in the 5K or 1 Mile Fun Walk.

The 5K is a flat and fast route that starts on the Woods campus and takes runners, walkers, and rollers through Langhorne Manor Borough and the Borough of Langhorne, both historic districts listed on the National Register. Participants will enjoy the beautiful tree-lined shaded streets of the Boroughs before returning to Woods for the final mile of the Run. Roads will be secured to ensure the safety of all 5K participants and those participating in the 1 Mile Fun Walk will remain on the Woods campus. An awards ceremony, BBQ lunch, entertainment, and Fitness Fair will follow the 5K/1 Mile Fun Walk.

Online registration is open at www.runforwoods.org until May 2. The cost is $45 per person and discount registration options are available for children 12 and under. If space allows, registrations will also be accepted the morning of the event for $50/person. This is a family-friendly event and all participants ages 7 and up will receive a t-shirt, medal, and an individual online fundraising page with the option to create a fundraising team.

Third Annual Run for Woods is Best One Yet!

May 10, 2017

The sun broke through just in time to see more than 1,100 walkers, runners, and rollers take their mark for the third annual Run for Woods 5K and 1 Mile Fun Walk on Saturday, May 6. In just three short years, the Run for Woods has become one of the largest integrated events in Bucks County and it continues to grow thanks to the support of staff members, sponsors, community members and families of Woods.

A dedicated group of more than 100 volunteers helped the day run smoothly by staffing the course as marshals and assisting with rest stops, registration, and lunch. The Fitness Fair featured 10 kiosks including the Independence Blue Cross Van, which offered complimentary health screenings (glucose, blood pressure and body mass Index) and two of Woods’ social enterprises, the Yellow Daffodil Flower and Gift Shop and BeechTree Bath & Body Products.

At the Opening Ceremony, State Representatives Frank Farry and Gene DiGirolamo and State Senator Tommy Tomlinson presented Woods with a resolution from the State of Pennsylvania recognizing the importance of our advocacy efforts, which ensure that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have a choice in where to work.

John Anthony Jensen spoke from his heart when he recounted the harrowing tale of his brain injury and his life now at Beechwood NeuroRehab, a program of Woods. “This day and age, I look forward to getting up every morning and continuing on with the day before’s endeavors and ultimately, my life. Every day is just a really great day at Woods, especially days like today,” he said. “I know it’s gonna sound like Beechwood’s paying me to say this, but in all honesty, this place is nothing but heaven sent…I look forward to getting up every morning and continuing my life.”

Following the run/walk, participants were treated to a delicious lunch of pork ribs and steak prepared by Outback Steakhouse and pasta and chicken prepared by Carrabba’s Italian Grill. Our local Corner Bakery Café in Newtown also hosted a wonderful dessert tent. Entertainment was provided by a group of Woods residents who presented several songs from their recent Disney Cabaret performance during lunch.
Awards were presented to the Top Individual Fundraiser: Whit Park, a Woods resident who raised more than $7300, the Top Fundraising Team, Team Mikey [Faulkner], which raised $14,425, and the Largest Team, the Woodlands Warriors, with 58 participants including residents and staff. Awards were also presented to the fastest male and female runners in 10 age categories.

“For the first time ever, a Woods resident was our most successful fundraiser. Whit Park raised $7300 for Woods Services,” said Hilary Stephens, Vice President of Development. “Whit spent hours on the phone calling friends and family. What a self-advocate! I hope that next year, others will follow his lead.”

Whit has lived at Woods for nearly 20 years and currently works at The Woods Enterprise (TWE) work center and recently started at the Yellow Daffodil Flower and Gift Shop. He enlisted the help of his parents, Penny and Jerry, and his brother, Ross, to spread the word about the Run for Woods and even he was impressed by the amount of money he was able to raise.

“I was pretty amazed myself,” Whit said. “I thought it was a great thing to do to raise money and my goal is to beat my total next year.”
Thanks to the generosity of nine Faulkner Ciocca Dealerships that raised a whopping $90,000 for Woods this year, and a record-breaking turnout, a total of $205,000 was raised for Woods Services. Joe Faulkner and Gregg Ciocca were on hand with their families to ensure that Woods reached its goal. Funds raised at the run/walk support services not currently covered or reimbursed by any funding source (including school systems, private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid) like music and art therapy, field trips and tickets to sporting or cultural events in the community or capital improvements to our buildings and grounds.

“We had a record 755 donors this year supporting our runners and walkers which is more than we have ever had. And the participation of our new community partners, Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill and the Corner Bakery Café has helped us take the Run for Woods to a whole new level.”

Thank you to everyone who helped make the third annual Run for Woods the best one yet! We look forward to seeing everyone next year!

Award-Winning Run for Woods Set for May 6

April 20, 2017

Langhorne, PA— Woods Services will hold its third annual Run for Woods on Saturday, May 6, 2017, with Faulkner-Ciocca Dealerships once again serving as the Presenting Sponsor. In September, the Run for Woods was presented with three awards from the Best of Bucks contest sponsored by the Courier Times: Best Fundraiser, Best Outdoor Event and Best Family Event. Last year’s event drew more than 1,000 registrants and raised more than $205,000 for educational, vocational, and recreational opportunities for the more than 675 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are served by Woods Services. Families, friends and the local community are invited to participate alongside more than 200 individuals served by Woods by running, walking, or rolling in the 5K or 1 Mile Fun Walk.

The 5K is a flat and fast route that starts on the Woods campus and takes runners, walkers, and rollers through Langhorne Manor Borough and the Borough of Langhorne, both historic districts listed on the National Register. Participants will enjoy the beautiful tree-lined shaded streets of the Boroughs before returning to Woods for the final mile of the Run. Roads will be secured to ensure the safety of all 5K participants and those participating in the 1 Mile Fun Walk will remain on the Woods campus. An awards ceremony, picnic lunch, entertainment, and Fitness Fair will follow the 5K/1 Mile Fun Walk. Carrabba’s Italian Grill and Outback Steakhouse (both located on Tillman Drive in Bensalem) will be on site cooking up their signature dishes for race participants. Desserts will be provided by Corner Bakery Café.

Online registration will remain open at www.runforwoods.org until May 3. The cost is $40 per person and discount registration options are available for children 12 and under. Registrations will also be accepted the morning of the event for $45/person. This is a family-friendly event and all participants ages 7 and up will receive a t-shirt, medal, and an individual online fundraising page with the option to create a fundraising team.