By Maddy Vitale
When a loved one has cancer mounting medical bills can take every last dollar and leave families without money to pay for utilities.
That is where Bringing Hope Home comes in. The nonprofit provides financial support for families whose loved ones are dealing with cancer. The organization provides a one-time payment through a grant for essential household bills.
The organization holds fundraisers throughout the year to help families. One of their most successful is their runs.
Get ready to put on your running shoes in Sea Isle because June 30 is the 4th annual Sea Isle City STOMPS Cancer 5K & Family Walk, hosted by LaCosta Lounge, through Bringing Hope Home.
The run will start at JFK Boulevard and the Promenade, go to 57th Street and continue straight onto the beach for one mile. There will be a cone with volunteers at the turn and runners will then head back to JFK Boulevard.
“The Sea Isle City STOMPS has had significant growth over the last three years,” said Judy Swahl, Family Outreach Coordinator for Bringing Hope Home. “We hope to reach our goal of 700 walkers and runners stomping their way down the Promenade on Saturday, June 30.”
Swahl said last year’s run/walk in Sea Isle raised $30,000 and helped 65 families pay for their essential household bills.
Swahl, who has a home in Sea Isle, said the importance of the event and what it is all for really shines through the day or the run/walk.
“Bringing Hope Home has created a community atmosphere. To watch families, friends, supporters, even those families helped through our grant program, come together to rally around those who are battling cancer is simply amazing,” Swahl said. “Our stompers say it’s the best way to start their summer, all while helping families with cancer.”
The support from Sea Isle City has been wonderful, Swahl said. Bringing Hope Home also appreciates support of LaCosta business owner, Jimmy Bennett.
Bennett has sponsored the event since 2015.
“Without his support this event couldn’t be possible,” Swahl said.
She also thanked Chris Glancey, President of the Sea Isle Chamber of Commerce and Revitalization, for welcoming the organization to Sea Isle four years ago.
Prizes will be awarded to the top overall male and female stompers, top two male and female stompers in every age group, highest fundraising team and largest team.
After the race participants are invited to come back to LaCosta for awards, raffles, music and more.
Kimberly Robinson is on the “STOMPS” committee. She said the event is not only a fun time, but also a time when you really see people coming together in support of an important cause.
“It is very important because it helps people in tri-state area dealing with cancer. We provide help with non-medical bills,” said Robinson, who vacations in Sea Isle. “There are a lot of treatments that are not covered under insurance. Families are putting money toward treatments and can’t pay their bills.”
Both Swahl and Robinson hope to have as many as 700 runners/walkers participate in the annual race.
“The event gets bigger and bigger every year,” Robinson noted. “We’d love people from Sea Isle, Ocean City, Wildwood, and everywhere else in the area to come and help stomp out cancer.”
For more information visit www.bringinghopehome.org
