AVALON — More than 600 runners and walkers crossed the finish line Nov. 29 at the 2nd Annual Turkey Trot in support of the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children. This year’s field of entrants for the 5K run and 1.5-mile walk far surpassed last year’s 400 and raised more than $17,000 for the home.
“The Turkey Trot to benefit the Diller Home is becoming the premier event, kicking off Festive Friday and a weekend of fun and activities in Avalon,” said Chuck Covington, Vice President of the Diller Home Board of Directors. “Thanks to all who helped make this event so wonderful, especially the Avalon Lions Club that has embraced the Turkey Trot as one of its community-service projects.”
One of the runners, Thomas Murphy, of Avon, Conn., donated $1,500, the amount needed to send one child to the Diller Home.
Since 1972, The Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children, located at 127 26th Street in Avalon, has been providing a seashore escape for visually impaired children, with supervision from experienced and certified counselors and administrators. Since many of these children come from families with limited financial means, the vacation experience is provided to them at no charge. The camp operates for eight weeks during the summer months, from mid-June to mid-August, with approximately 20 children (ages 7-15) attending weekly. Support of The Home is provided by fundraising events like the Turkey Trot and Barefoot Ball, volunteerism, Tim Kerr Charities, the Avalon Lions Club and the NJ State Lions Club, private donations and foundation grants.
The Home is a registered 501(c)3 charitable organization under the name “Challenged Children’s Charities Corporation.”
For more information about the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children, please visit www.dillerblindhome.org