Cincinnati Walks for Kids Helps Children in Our Community

Monday, September 26, 2011

The 2011 Cincinnati Walks for Kids benefiting Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center will be held Saturday, Oct. 15, at Coney Island. Registration for the walk will be held from 8 - 10 am, and the walk begins at 10 am after a brief opening ceremony.

There is no registration fee to participate in Cincinnati Walks for Kids. Each walker is simply asked to raise at least $25. All walkers raising $25 or more will receive a Cincinnati Walks for Kids T-shirt. Additional individual and team prizes can be earned for further fundraising. All proceeds from the event help Cincinnati Children’s provide hope and healing to the children and families cared for by the medical center.

Cincinnati Walks for Kids is more than a fundraising walk, it is a day of family fun and celebration. The day begins with an opening ceremony to honor the patients, families and caregivers of the medical center and thank the community for its commitment to Cincinnati Children’s.

“Each walker is able to raise money for the area of the medical center that they are most passionate about,” says Christina Mihalek, walk coordinator. “Others, who may not know a patient personally, are able to give to the hospital’s greatest needs. Everyone has a great time being a part of this event.”

Walkers may choose a 3-mile or 1-mile walk route. All walkers will receive a finisher’s ribbon as they cross the finish line, followed by a complimentary lunch. Throughout the day, participants can enjoy a festive atmosphere where children can decorate a mini-pumpkin, ride five classic Coney Island rides and have their faces painted. Families can also visit the Remembrance Garden, a serene setting to honor loved ones.

People of all ages can participate in the walk. Strollers, wagons and wheelchairs are welcome. With the exception of service dogs, Coney Island does not allow pets on their property.

As a nonprofit hospital and research center, Cincinnati Children’s relies on events like Cincinnati Walks for Kids to help fund life-saving research, patient care and education. Since the walk’s inception, more than $3 million has been raised for the hospital.

Cincinnati Walks for Kids is presented by Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Honda Dealers. Other lead sponsors include Coney Island and Messer Construction Co.

For more information about Cincinnati Walks for Kids, or to register or support a walker, please visit www.cincinnatichildrens.org/walk or call 513-636-2941.

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center ranks third in the nation among all Honor Roll hospitals in U.S. News and World Report’s 2011 Best Children’s Hospitals ranking. It is ranked #1 for gastroenterology and in the top 10 for all pediatric specialties - a distinction shared by only two other pediatric hospitals in the United States. Cincinnati Children’s is one of the top two recipients of pediatric research grants from the National Institutes of Health. It is internationally recognized for improving child health and transforming delivery of care through fully integrated, globally recognized research, education and innovation. Additional information can be found at www.cincinnatichildrens.org.