The Broward Human Race 5K Draws Crowds in Support of 19 Local Nonprofit Agencies

Human Race Participants take off from the starting line

Hollywood, FL (April 26, 2014) –Over 300 participants and 19 local nonprofit agencies joined together on Saturday, April 26th, 2014 to take part in the inaugural HandsOn Broward Human Race 5k Run & Walk in partnership with Comcast at Charnow Park in Hollywood, Florida.

Widely supported and wildly successful within other communities, Saturday marked the first time Broward County has seen such a unique event. The Broward Human Race is set apart from other 5k races in that it was managed by a single nonprofit agency, HandsOn Broward, and other local nonprofits are invited to utilize the 5k as a venue to raise funds for their programs without expending the critically needed staff time or resources typically associated with large scale fundraising events.

PSN Roadrunners accepting the Run Club Award

“We couldn’t be more thrilled with the turnout on Saturday,” said Dale Hirsch, CEO of HandsOn Broward. “This year, HandsOn Broward celebrates 40 years of capacity building for Broward nonprofits and this event allows us to further lift the small agencies that work so tirelessly in our community.”

Participants on Saturday enjoyed a beautiful day on the Hollywood Broadwalk, live music, free scoops of ice cream provided by the Ben & Jerry’s Core Tour van and much more. Sponsors of the inaugural HandsOn Broward Human Race 5k include Comcast, Oppenheim Law, Baptist Health South Florida, Weston Title & Escrow, Image360 Lauderhill, Publix, KIND and Cocozia.

Comcast’s Team Dream Big! celebrating their finish at the race

“This event has far exceeded our expectations,” said Human Race Director, Kristina DaSilva.  “From the local schools that brought out teams of young people to the local businesses finding ways to get involved, the support for small nonprofit agencies and the communities they serve has been overwhelming.”

One local school took home more than race medals on race day. Imagine Charter School of Weston, a nonprofit agency participating in the race, earned honors as the organization that raised the most funds and is the recipient of a $1000 prize.

An affiliate of the HandsOn Network, HandsOn Broward inspires, equips and mobilizes people to take action to positively affect change in Broward County.   They connect people who want to help with volunteer opportunities that make a difference in our community.  Visit www.handsonbroward.org for more information about how to get involved in volunteering for your community.

HandsOn Broward Partners with Comcast for Company’s Annual Day of Service

HandsOn Broward recently joined forces with local Comcast employees and their family and friends as part of Comcast Cares Day, the nation’s largest single-day corporate volunteer effort. During National Volunteer Month, Comcast celebrated its 13th Comcast Cares Day, and reached important milestones, including 3 million volunteer hours and half a million volunteers since Comcast Cares Day started in 2001.

On Saturday, April 26, local Comcast employees and their family and friends worked to “make change happen” as they assisted with two HandsOn Broward events. First, volunteers worked at the inaugural Human Race 5k Walk and Run in Hollywood. This unique event allowed multiple local nonprofits organizations to participate and fundraise that might not otherwise have the budget, resources or staff to coordinate their own events. Volunteers also did a park clean-up at Delevoe Park in Fort Lauderdale with projects including cleaning, painting a mural and landscaping.

“We were honored to partner with HandsOn Broward and to have had such a positive impact on our community during the 13^th Comcast Cares Day,” added Dawn Stagliano, Comcast Florida Region Director of Government Affairs and Community Investment. “I’m grateful to all the volunteers who donated their time to help make a difference in the lives of others.”

Comcast has been committed to serving local communities since our founding more than 50 years ago. For more information on Comcast’s volunteer and community investment initiatives, visit www.comcast.com/community.