The organizer remains the Children’s Smile Foundation, together with the Polish Running Team, and the honorary patronage over the anniversary edition has been assumed by the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in New York.
“Run for a Child’s Smile” – 10th edition at a glance: Sunday, September 27, 11:00 AM, Forest Park in Queens (Woodhaven Blvd. & Forest Park Dr., next to Victory Field). 5K distance, $40 donation (t-shirt + refreshments), children aged 5–12 run for free on the 1K distance. Proceeds will support sick and needy children.
Ten years of running together for children
What started ten years ago as a single charity action is now a permanent fixture in the autumn Polish-American calendar in New York. With each edition, new families, companies, and institutions join the run, and the event itself has become an opportunity not only to support children in need of help, but also to spend time together outdoors among friends and neighbors. The anniversary tenth edition is intended to be the best proof of this.
A route in the heart of Forest Park
The run will take place on Sunday, September 27, in Forest Park in Queens (Woodhaven Blvd. & Forest Park Dr., Queens, NY 11421, near Victory Field). Participants will cover a distance of 5 kilometers surrounded by park greenery, which has been one of the advantages of this route for years. The start is scheduled for 11:00 AM.
Registration, costs, and anniversary medals
Registration takes place online – a link to the form is available on the Children’s Smile Foundation website and as a QR code on posters and flyers promoting the event.
The participant donation is $40 and includes a commemorative t-shirt for the 10th edition of the run, as well as coffee, tea, and cake at the finish line. On the day of the event, registration will only be possible until 10:00 AM, and the donation amount will increase to $50.
To celebrate the anniversary, the organizers have prepared an additional surprise: the first 200 registered people will receive commemorative anniversary medals.
The youngest run for free
Participation is free for children aged 5 to 12 – the youngest will cover a shortened route of 1000 meters (1K). This is a solution thanks to which the run has for years had the character of a family event rather than a strictly sports one.
What the raised proceeds will go toward
All proceeds from the anniversary edition of the “Run for a Child’s Smile” will be allocated to helping sick and needy children, in accordance with the mission of the Children’s Smile Foundation.
Honorary patronage of the Consul General
This year’s tenth edition has been placed under the honorary patronage of the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in New York. “‘The Run for a Child’s Smile’ is an example of an initiative that uniquely combines charitable activity with the promotion of an active lifestyle and the integration of the Polish-American community. It is gratifying that the anniversary tenth edition of the event continues this beautiful tradition, encouraging entire families to work together for the youngest,” wrote Consul General Mateusz Sakowicz in a letter to the Children’s Smile Foundation, emphasizing that he is pleased to assume patronage over the anniversary edition.
Organizer’s voice: “this will be an exceptional event”
Wojciech Maślanka, executive director of the Children’s Smile Foundation, made no secret of his joy at the opportunity to organize another edition.
“This year it will be an exceptional event because the run will take place for the tenth time. On this occasion, we have prepared special anniversary medals for its participants, which for many people, like the traditional starting t-shirts, will be a great souvenir from this charity event. I encourage everyone to register as soon as possible and participate in the run, and thereby also support sick and needy children,” said Wojciech Maślanka, adding that he is counting on favorable weather, which every year has a major impact on turnout and the atmosphere of the event.
Who supports the anniversary edition
The tenth edition of the “Run for a Child’s Smile” is made possible thanks to the support of many companies and donors. The main sponsor remains the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union. The event is also supported by: ETS Contracting, Perecman Firm P.L.L.C., TM Construction of New York, Belvedere Bridge, Joanna Gwozdz Attorney at Law, PDP Contracting, AMN Construction, Kurzatkowski Law Group, Pulaski Association of Business and Professional Men, Victoria Consulting & Development, FT Services & Distribution, Green & Szymanski Law Offices, Vision Financial Planning, Arthur’s Funeral Home, All State Insurance – Robert Dworniczak, All NYC Safety & Training, L & Z Restoration Consulting, Maven Construction, Maleni Group, Everest Agency, Greenpoint Insurance Brokerage, JEPOL Construction, Maurice Building Supplies, and the JPII Polish Language and Culture School in Maspeth.
Summary: where, when, and how much
- Date: Sunday, September 27, 11:00 AM
- Location: Forest Park, Woodhaven Blvd. & Forest Park Dr., Queens, NY 11421 (next to Victory Field)
- Registration: [registration page address]
- Donation: $40 (+ processing fee), price includes t-shirt, coffee, and cake; on the day of the run $50 (registration only until 10:00 AM)
- Children (5–12 years old): free participation, 1K distance
- Anniversary bonus: commemorative medals for the first 200 registered people
Poland.us | Polish-American Journal
