Smiles For Sophie Forever Includes Games, Bounce Houses, Crafts

Editor's note: The following information was submitted by the Smiles For Sophie Forever organization.

Sophie Elizabeth Quayle should be celebrating her ninth birthday on July 4, but instead more than 1,100 people will gather in Avon Lake’s to raise money for Smiles For Sophie Forever, a charity created after Sophie lost her valiant battle with brain cancer on Oct. 6, 2007.  

The 5th Annual Smiles For Sophie Forever Birthday Bash & Dash is not only a race, but a morning of fun for all, with kids’ activities, food, drinks, music and games--a perfect opening to traditional family celebrations.

Most importantly, it is a birthday celebration for Sophie. Since a traditional birthday celebration for Sophie is not possible, her parents, Emily and Marc, of Avon Lake, couldn’t think of a better way to spend each 4th of July than with an event like this. 

The 5th Annual Smiles For Sophie Forever Birthday Bash & Dash will commence at 9 a.m. with a 5K for runners and 1.5-mile run/walk for families, which includes a pass-by of and a flower-drop at Sophie’s home. Upon the conclusion of the race, the fun-for-the-whole family celebration will begin with loads of activities for children of all ages, such as face-painting, bounce houses, games, a kid’s race, crafts and much more.

Concession-stand food will be available for purchase and birthday cupcakes will be given to all race participants. There will also be a fifty-fifty raffle, a Chinese raffle, and a silent auction including a chance to win four club seat tickets to an Indians game, airline vouchers and more. 

“Fundraising Firecrackers” who raise more than $100 will receive a SFSF race dri-fit T-shirt and be entered into a drawing for an iPod shuffle. For the first time this year, participants may register as a “runner-in-spirit” if unable to attend the event. 

More information, including registration, is available at www.smilesforsophieforever.org.

"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, race director, said.  “Much of that total has been raised at the Annual Bash & Dash. Each year the race is a touching and memorable event – raising money for pediatric brain cancer while celebrating a wonderful little girl whose time with us was much too short.”

Event Details

Where: Walker Road Park, 31621 Walker Road, Avon Lake, Ohio

When: Wednesday, July 4

Registration begins at 7 a.m.; race begins at 9 a.m.; children’s activities begin at 10 a.m.

Entry Fee: Late Registration (June 18 - July 4) $30- all ages, $20 – “Runner-in-Spirit,” - all ages

• • Post-race refreshments including birthday cupcake & water
  • Wristband for access to kids’ activities (ages 10 and under)
  • First-come, first-served on race T,-shirts until gone