Smiles For Sophie Forever Bash and Dash Readies for July 4 5k

Another favorite Avon Lake tradition is again slated for July 4, when the 6th Annual Smiles for Sophie Forever (SFSF) Birthday Bash and Dash kicks off.

The 5K and 1.5 mile run/walk will start at 9 a.m. on July 4 at Walker Road Park in Avon Lake.

The event is named after Avon Lake’s Sophie Elizabeth Quayle who would be celebrating her 10th birthday on July 4. She lost a battle with brain cancer at age 4 on Oct. 6, 2007.  Her parents, Marc and Emily Quayle and friends created the foundation that donates funds that include assisting families coping with pediatric brain cancer.

"In the last four years, Smiles For Sophie Forever has provided more than $270,000 to fulfill its mission of assisting families coping with pediatric brain cancer, funding research and supporting St. Jude,” Michelle Polinko, the 2012 race director said last year.  “Much of that total has been raised at the Annual Bash & Dash.”

The event is more than a race. It will include a kids obstacle course, a kid’ 50-yd dash, face painting, balloon twisting, bounce houses, snow cones, cotton candy, food, raffles and more.

The race is still looking for volunteers and donations for the raffle.

The popular race generally draws more than 1,000 runners and walkers. By 2011, the non-profit had awarded more than $200,000 in grants.

Interested parties can contact Emily Quayle at 513-260-0917 for more information. If you can’t make it to the event, but still want to support the cause, donations are accepted at www.active.com/donate/bashanddash2013.

Proceeds help SFSF to provide financial assistance to families of children diagnosed with pediatric brain cancer and to fund research in this area. For more information and to register online visit www.smilesforsophieforever.org  and click on the “events” tab.