06 Apr ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS
Published on April 6, 2026
County Helping to Raise Awareness for the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, the Arc of Essex County, The Valerie Fund, Arthritis Foundation, Alzheimer’s New Jersey, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center’s NICU, RWJBarnabas Health, Stop for Nikhil, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Danny’s Pantry and the Susan G. Komen Foundation
Event Participants are Offered Reduced Admission to Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex Attractions
Essex County, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced on Monday, April 6th that Essex County was participating in 12 special partnerships to increase awareness about and help raise funds for the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, the Arc of Essex County, Stop for Nikhil, The Valerie Fund, the Arthritis Foundation, Alzheimer’s New Jersey, the Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center’s NICU, RWJBarnabas Health, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Danny’s Pantry and the Susan G. Komen Foundation. DiVincenzo is inviting the public to come out and support the worthy causes of each organization. In addition, the Executive announced that participants from each event will receive reduced admission to attractions at the Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex on the day of their respective fund-raising events.
“Each of these well-respected organizations does a great deal to make a positive difference in and improve the quality of life for our residents. I invite the public to run, walk or donate to help out these really great causes,” DiVincenzo said. “To say thank you to these organizations and the thousands of people who support them, we are offering reduced admission to Turtle Back Zoo, Codey Arena and the miniGOLF Safari for the people who participate in these events,” he added.
“It’s always a good time when we can come together and support each other. The walks we highlight impact the community but also our employees, who have a family member or know someone who benefits from these organizations,” Deputy Chief of Staff and Human Resources Director Jacqueline Jones said.
“The good work all these organizations do positively impact our families at the deepest levels,” Commissioner President Carlos Pomares said.
“I am proud that we work with these groups to put a spotlight on things that truly matter. Whether you participate in these events as a walker or raise money, it’s about showing people that you care and they are not alone,” Sheriff Amir Jones said.
A description of the organizations and a schedule of their events are as follows:
The 28th Annual Arc of Essex County’s Annual Building Tomorrows 5K Run, Family Walk and Fun Fest is Saturday, April 25th at the Clipper Pavilion in the Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex. There will be a 5K run, walk and Fun Fest. Registration is $30 in advance and $35 on race day for the 5K run, $10 for the walk and $5 for non-run/walk participants. The Arc of Essex County provides supportive services for children and adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities and their families. For information and registration, visit RunOrWalk.org. It will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Time: 8 a.m. 5K Registration
9 a.m. 5K Run
9:30 a.m. Walk Registration
10 a.m. to 12 noon: Fun Fest
10:30 a.m. Family Walk
Place: Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex
Clipper Pavilion
Cherry Lane
West Orange, NJ
Great Strides is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s largest national fundraising event and will be held on Saturday, May 3rd at the Clipper Pavilion in the Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex. There will be entertainment, a carnival, games and DJ. The mission of the foundation is to cure cystic fibrosis and raise awareness about this rare, genetic, life-shortening disease that makes it difficult to breathe and shortens lives. Proceeds from the event help accelerate innovative research and drug development, as well as advance care and advocacy. Registration is free, but walkers are encouraged to raise funds. For more information, visit www.fightcf.cff.org. It will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, May 3, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. Registration
10 a.m. Walk
Place: Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex
Clipper Pavilion
Cherry Lane
West Orange, NJ
The Walk to Fight Alzheimer’s benefits Alzheimer’s New Jersey and will be held on Sunday, May 17th at the Clipper Pavilion in the Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex. Proceeds from the event benefit Alzheimer’s New Jersey’s programs and services including a toll-free helpline, family support groups, community education programs, the Respite Care and Wellness Program, Clinical Trial Connections Program, and research to advance a cure. For more information, visit www.alznj.org or call 888-280-6055. It will be held as follows:
Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026
Time: 9 a.m.
Place: Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex
Clipper Pavilion
Cherry Lane
West Orange, NJ
The Arthritis Foundation’s Walk to Cure Arthritis is Sunday, May 31st at the Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex. The Arthritis Foundation helps conquer everyday battles through life-changing information and resources, access to optimal care, advancements in science and community connections. For more information, visit www.arthritis.org. It will be held as follows:
Date: Sunday, May 31, 2026
Time: 8 a.m.
Place: Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex
Cherry Lane
West Orange, NJ
The Valerie Fund Walk and JAG Physical Therapy 5K Run is Saturday, June 6th in Essex County Verona Park. Proceeds will be used to support the comprehensive care of children with cancer and blood disorders. For more information on the Walk or 5K Run, visit TheValerieFund.org/Walk2026/. It will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026
Time: 7 a.m. 5K Registration
8:30 a.m. 5K Run
8:30 a.m. Walk Registration
8:30 a.m. Children’s Sprints Registration
9 a.m. Children’s Sprints
9:30 am. Opening Ceremony
10 a.m. Walk
Place: Essex County Verona Park
Bloomfield Avenue
Verona, NJ
The Baldassare and MaraTHON 5K Run/Walk on Sunday, June 22nd at the Clipper Pavilion in the Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex will benefit Danny’s Pantry. The pantry is named for Daniel Anderl, who was killed by a gunman in 2020 who was targeting his mother, U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas. The pantry was created in 2024 and is located in the Newark District Court where Salas serves. It was established to assist the families in need who came to the courthouse. For more information, visit https://dannyspantry.org/. It will be held as follows:
Date: Sunday, June 14, 2026
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Place: Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex
Clipper Pavilion
Cherry Lane
West Orange, NJ
The Nikhil Badlani Foundation will present the Annual Stop for Nikhil 5K Run/3K Walk/5K Bike Ride on Sunday, September 20th at West Orange High School. The foundation is named for 11-year-old Nikhil Badlani, who was killed in a car crash in 2011 when the driver failed to stop at a stop sign. Its mission is to raise traffic safety awareness while enriching the lives of children through music lessons, and providing scholarships to graduating high school seniors. Online registration opens on June 1st at www.StopForNikhil.org. Registration for after 14 and older is $27; for ages 5-13 is $17; fee increases $3 if done on event day. It will be held as follows:
Date: Sunday, September 20, 2026
Time: 7:30 a.m. Registration
8:15 a.m. 5K Bike Ride
8:45 a.m. Opening Ceremony
9:30 a.m. 5K Run
9:45 a.m. 3K Walk
10:30 a.m. Children’s Fun Run
Place: West Orange High School
51 Conforti Avenue
West Orange, NJ
The 26th Annual Miracle Walk to benefit the Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is Sunday, October 4th in Essex County Verona Park. The walk features family-friendly activities, refreshments and entertainment including a DJ, face painters, balloon artists, characters and more. Proceeds help the medical center purchase state-of-the-art equipment for the NICU, which provides specialized care for New Jersey’s smallest and sickest babies. For more information, visit miraclewalk.com. It will be held as follows:
Date: Sunday, October 4, 2026
Time: 9 a.m.
Place: Essex County Verona Park
Bloomfield Avenue
Verona, NJ
The Annual Greater Northern NJ Heart Walk is Saturday, October 10th at the ADP campus in Roseland. This event attracts businesses and residents from Essex, Morris, Somerset, Union and Warren Counties. Proceeds will be used to raise awareness and support prevention of cardiovascular disease and stroke. For more information, visit www2.heart.org. It will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
Time: 9 a.m.
Place: ADP Campus
1 ADP Blvd.
Roseland, NJ
The American Cancer Society will present its Making Strides Against Breast Cancer on Sunday, October 18th in Mulberry Commons Park in Newark. The walk helps raise awareness and funds to save lives from breast cancer. The event brings people together to make a difference for everyone who has been touched by breast cancer. The events raise money to fund innovative research, provide free information and support, and to help people reduce their breast cancer risk or find it early when it’s most treatable. For information, visit www.MakingStridesWalk.org/NewarkNJ. It will be held as follows:
Date: Sunday, October 18, 2026
Time: Registration 8 a.m.
Walk 10 a.m.
Place: Mulberry Commons Park
Lafayette Street
Newark, NJ
The Susan G. Komen Foundation will present its More Than Pink Walk on Sunday, October 25th in Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex in West Orange. The foundation is dedicated to saving lives by meeting the most critical needs of the community and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer. For more information, visit www.komen.org/northjerseywalk. It will be held as follows:
Date: Sunday, October 25, 2026
Time: Event opens: 8 a.m.
Opening Ceremony: 9:30 a.m.
Walk: 9:45 a.m.
Place: Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex
Clipper Pavilion
Cherry Lane
West Orange, NJ
RWJBarnabas Health and the New Jersey Devils are teaming up to support the health of New Jersey’s diverse population with the Running with the Devils 5K Run and Family Fun Walk on Sunday, November 2nd in the Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex on Cherry Lane in West Orange. Proceeds from the event will benefit programs and services at RWJBarnabas Health’s 12 hospital facilities as well as Behavioral Health and Children’s Specialized Hospital. This event, featuring a 5K USATF certified race and a family fun walk, brings together participants from across the state and supports the collective commitment of RWJBarnabas Health and the New Jersey Devils to build stronger communities by promoting healthy, active lifestyles and world-class healthcare. The day will feature special appearances by the New Jersey Devils mascot and street team, medals for all race participants, awards and more. RWJBarnabas Health is the official healthcare provider of the New Jersey Devils. It will be held as follows:
Date: Sunday, November 1, 2026
Time: 7 a.m. Registration
9 a.m. Race and Walk
Place: Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex and Essex County Turtle Back Zoo
560 Northfield Avenue
West Orange, NJ
Participants in these events can receive $5 admission to Turtle Back Zoo, Codey Arena and the miniGOLF Safari in West Orange. The reduced admission is available on event days and participants must bring their race bib or proof of registration to receive the discount.