HomeFront will host its 11th Annual Rock and Roll for Hope 5K and 1Mile Run/Walk on June 9 at Princeton’s ETS Campus. Get some exercise, listen music, and help over 100 local children make the sweet summer memories they deserve.
This major community effort attracted over 800 people last year and proceeds fund the HomeFront Summer Camp program for children who are currently homeless or are at-risk. The 8-week camp provides two nutritious meals a day, recreation and field trips, daily academic tutoring and a no-cost, safe place for children so their parents can work full time during the summer when school is out. The event also contributes funding to HomeFront’s year-round Joy, Hopes, and Dream’s children’s programming.
Shayla G., recalled how important HomeFront’s summer camps have been to her 14 year old son and 12 year old daughter over the years: “My kids have never been on a vacation because we didn’t have the money. Camp gave them the real sweetness of summer. I remember my daughter proudly showing me how she learned to swim at camp, holding her breath and going underwater in the bathtub. People came from Lawrence Lacrosse to camp and gave my son a lacrosse stick, and he played all summer. They also gave him a scholarship to join their team and he’s still playing with them. HomeFront was my #1 during the summers. I’ve been sad I couldn’t give my kids more, being disabled and not having the money, but HomeFront’s camp gave them something really fun, [field] trips, and so much more. I’m so grateful.”
The Rock & Roll musical component to HomeFront’s 5K began last year and this year 12 local rock and music bands will line the race course to entertain runners. Donating their talents to entertain runners and walkers on the course are: HIVE, School of Rock’s two house bands, BoxoRox, The Footstompers, (Run Sponsor Credit Suisse’s employee band; ),Rebel Alliance, Milz Stone, Darnabee Jones, the West Windsor Plainsboro High School Steel Drum Band, Songs of Sentiment and all four of Princeton High School’s a capella groups; Around Eight, Cloud 9, the Testostertones and Cat’s Meow.
Local music teacher, Jesse Neuman, who will be playing with his rock band, HIVE, is bringing his band to the 5K for the second year. “My non profit Musicworks began teaching music classes to children at HomeFront’s Family Campus in 2018 and the experience has been fantastic. The faculty is full of generosity and passion and the kids bask in the attention and warmth they receive. We had an absolute blast performing at the Rock and Roll for Hope 5K last year and can’t wait to make our support for this great, great cause felt-and heard- again!”
HomeFront’s goal is 1,000 people this year so anyone interested in participating in this joyous community event suitable for all ages is welcome; Events include the 5K Run/Walk, 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk, completing the last run the last mile of a half or full marathon; register at www.homefrontnj.org. There will be games, awards, prizes for the best Rock & Roll costumes and largest fundraisers, refreshments and Starbucks coffee. For questions about forming a team or sponsoring the event, email [email protected]
About HomeFront: HomeFront provides emergency shelter with intensive case management and affordable housing for families; tutoring and enrichment programs for children; and life skills and self-advocacy training for adults. Since 1991, the organization has helped homeless families to build lives of self-respect, stability and independence by using a comprehensive and holistic approach to ending homelessness in Central New Jersey. HomeFront has become a sophisticated social service agency able to address material needs for shelter, food, and clothing. It has established effective programs to help parents develop educational, vocational and life skills while also opening the world and all its wonderful possibilities to their children. For more information about how you can help, visit www.homefrontnj,org or call (609)-989-9417.
