Sunshine Foundation’s 16th annual RunWalkBark4Dreams on June 9 will benefit local girl’s wish to visit Disney
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
From the moment Benelli was introduced to Disney’s smash hit Frozen, the 6-year-old had one ambition — to meet her “best friend” Olaf. But for her Quakertown-based family, planning a costly trip to the “happiest place on earth” just wasn’t an option. Benelli, as well as her two younger siblings, have low-functioning autism. Rather than having disposable money to spend on a vacation, extra income is put toward medical expenses.
Thankfully, dozens of two- and four-legged community members are coming together to help make Benelli’s dream come true. On Saturday, June 9, at Tyler State Park in Richboro, the Sunshine Foundation will host its 16th annual RunWalkBark4Dreams 5K run and 2-mile walk, with proceeds benefiting Benelli’s trip to Disney World to meet her favorite talking snowman.
The mission of the Sunshine Foundation, which is based at 1041 Mill Creek Drive in Feasterville, is to answer the dreams of children who are chronically ill, physically challenged or have been abused. For 41 years, the foundation has brought hope to more than 40,000 children with diagnoses such as spina bifida, cerebral palsy, severe autism, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, sickle cell disease and lymphoma.
Every day, the Sunshine Foundation receives numerous applications from families requesting a dream for a loved one, with more than 400 children currently on its waiting list. While many of these are granted throughout the year, a designated committee selects one Bucks County child to be highlighted at RunWalkBark4Dreams. According to Caitlyn Diviny, technology/volunteer manager, there are certain financial criteria the family must meet, but most importantly, they have to be comfortable in the spotlight.
“We make the whole day about Benelli,” Diviny said.
Though her family knows they’ll soon be heading to Orlando, Benelli won’t find out until the big reveal at RunWalkBark4Dreams, where she’ll be presented with a massive box of Disney-related toys including Mickey Mouse and Lego Batman.
Benelli, along with her parents and siblings, will head to Disney World in December from Wednesday to Monday, where they’ll stay in a Sunshine Foundation Dream Village cottage. All nine, which boast creative themes, are handicap accessible, featuring a pool that’s four-feet-deep across, wheelchair ramps and a playground equipped with a wheelchair swing. The trip, which costs on average $5,000, is paid for entirely by the Sunshine Foundation through fundraising initiatives such as RunWalkBark4Dreams.
At the family-friendly event, attendees can enjoy a U.S. track and field certified course, a pre-warm up by a local trainer, complimentary pre- and post-run refreshments, T-shirts for pre-registered participants and day-of registrants while supplies last, and awards for all ages.
Walkers and runners are invited to bring their dogs along, as long as the pet is well-behaved and on a leash. In addition to interacting with furry friends, guests can dance and listen to music by a DJ, as well as meet a handful of mascots. On hand will be the Chick-fil-A cow, a dinosaur from the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Texas Roadhouse armadillo and the smiling tooth from Doc Bresler’s Cavity Busters.
RunWalkBark4Dreams welcomes an average of 150 participants each year, though Diviny explained the Sunshine Foundation doesn’t have a specific fundraising goal in mind.
“We’re just trying to reach as many dreamers as possible,” she said. ••
If you go…
Sunshine Foundation’s 16th annual RunWalkBark4Dreams will take place Saturday, June 9, at Tyler State Park, 10 Stable Mill Road in Richboro.
Registration opens at 8 a.m. The 5K run begins at 9 a.m., with the 2-mile walk immediately following.
To register, visit runtheday.com/register/detail/sunshine-foundations-runwalkbark-4-dreams.
Pre-registration cost is $25 for adults, $15 for children ages 3–12. Multiple sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, visit sunshinefoundation.org, or contact Caitlyn Diviny at caitlyn@sunshinefoundation.org or 215–396–4770.
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
