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Stroll for Strong Kids Continues to Help Patients and Hospital Blossom

Strong Kids Newsletter

SandyIn just two short years since its groundbreaking, UR Medicine’s Golisano Children’s Hospital has become a towering symbol of strength and hope for sick and injured children of the Finger Lakes region. With a “Growing Strong” theme, this year’s Stroll for Strong Kids Walk & 5K Run, set for Saturday, May 30, at Genesee Valley Park, will celebrate how far the hospital has come and the promising growth ahead.

The 19th annual Stroll will kick off with on-site 5K registration at 7 a.m., followed by the race at 8:30 a.m. Those participating in the walk can register on-site at 8 a.m., with the walk at 10:30 a.m. Thousands of children’s hospital supporters and personalized teams will then fill the park until 1 p.m. to enjoy a variety of family friendly activities, including more than a dozen bounce houses, crafts, music, games, and more. To commemorate their participation, each guest will receive a packet of forget-me-not seeds to take home and plant, signifying the memories that patients, families, and caregivers hold of the old hospital and the growth of the new building.

Last year’s Stroll raised $451,000 and set the record for attendance with 7,000 guests.

“The Stroll continues to grow each year and this year is particularly special because of the opening of the new hospital,” said Stephanie Sheets, assistant director of community affairs at Golisano Children’s Hospital. “The excitement around the building and what it means to our community and region is incredible.”   

Abbott’s Frozen Custard is the event’s presenting sponsor for the fourth consecutive year, providing participants with a sweet treat in addition to the Subway and Zweigle’s offered for lunch. A new Stroll favorite, KP’s Kettle Corn will also be in attendance, along with Fruit Vines® candies from the American Licorice Company.

Stroll for Strong KidsAs guests stroll throughout the park, they can visit with their favorite Rochester sports team mascots, stop at the 100.5 The Drive booth for a chance to win prizes, partake in hands-on activities with Hairzoo, reunite with fellow Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) grads at the NICU tent, play on hay bales from Wickham Farms and bulldozers from AP Enterprises, and so much more.

Many Stroll teams, including “Lauren’s Legacy,” the “Ali-Gaiters,” and “Amazing Grace,” will be working toward completing fundraising for their several-year commitments to naming a space in the future children’s hospital, set to open a few short weeks after the event.

“Each team and individual participating in the Stroll has helped us reach our goal of being able to create and open a new building for our region’s sick and injured children,” Sheets said. “This new hospital is truly the hospital that the community built and we can’t thank them enough for supporting Golisano Children’s Hospital to the extent they do.”

-Rebecca Youmell