FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 8, 2023
CONTACT: Kate Faherty | info@foster5k.org
Milpitas, CA – After three years of virtual races, the 7th annual Foster5k + Kids Dash was held in person on May 7th at Martial Cottle Park in San Jose, CA. The charity race benefiting Child Advocates of Silicon Valley was sold out with over 400 registrants and raised over $40,000.
Participants raced through a mapped-out trail with scenic views and beautiful landscapes. Racers could also cool down with refreshments provided by Outdoor Supply Hardware (OSH), Moss Adams LLP, and Trader Joe’s.
“We are thrilled to see everyone come together and have fun while supporting our foster youth,” said Foster5k’s founder, Debbie Crouse. “After being virtual for so long, being outside in person and enjoying the beautiful day together was needed.”
Participants ranged from all ages due to Foster5k’s introduction of the Kids Dash. For the first time, organizers set up a small race designed for young runners who wanted to participate but weren’t old enough to do the 5K. The children dashed against one another on a straight path down to the finish line.
“Foster5k has always been a family friendly event with participants of all ages,” said Kate Faherty, Foster5k’s Race Director. “However, this year, we decided to add additional elements to attract more signups. That’s why we added the Kids Dash and included a timed element to the race.”
After completing the race, participants engaged in activities set out by different donors and sponsors including: massages by Movement Performance Therapy, a raffle for various prizes, painting birdhouses provided by OSH, and more. The Fosters 5k committee invited DJ Hisoul and DJ Pauly (based out of Santa Cruz), who, with their music, encouraged celebration and dancing amongst the crowd.
“After all that heavy work this morning, it’s important to celebrate the completion of running a 5k,” said Faherty. “We look forward to doing this every year with the community in honor of bringing us all together to lift up foster youth.”
Through registration fees, sponsorships, and donors, Foster5k raised over $40,000. Corporate sponsors BMC Software, Rubrik, Inc., Outdoor Supply Hardware, and Allen & Overy, LLP were joined by many local businesses including Matt Zampella Luxury Real Estate and Silicon Valley Golf. For a complete list of Foster5k sponsors, go to Foster5k.org and click the sponsors tab for more information.
“Child Advocates of Silicon Valley is grateful to event sponsors like BMC and all of the walkers and runners that SHOWED UP today for kids in foster care,” said Frederick J. Ferrer, CEO of Child Advocates of Silicon Valley. “It truly takes an entire community to LIFT UP children and youth in foster care .”
About Kate Faherty, Foster 5K Co-Chair
Kate is one of four children adopted from Korea by an amazing couple who dedicated their lives to raising their family and to their careers in education. Her career spans leadership roles at AppDynamics, Cisco, eBay and most recently at Rubrik. Shortly after college, Kate bought a one-way ticket to South Korea with the intent of living there for a year and discovering her biological roots. Following in her parent’s footsteps, Kate became an educator in Korea and taught English as a second language to elementary aged children. Observing her students’ drive to achieve academically within a culture that inspired and reinforced challenge, Kate felt the need to continue to ignite that spark in children within her own community. When she returned to the United States, she involved herself in the No Child Left Behind Program and is now a CASA for Child Advocates of Silicon Valley. Kate, as one who seeks to challenge herself in many ways, is an avid runner and a Boston Marathon qualifier. She dabbles in golf, languages, piano and throughout all aspects of her life, the pursuit of Better for herself and others!
About Debbie Crouse, Foster5K Co-Chair
Debbie Crouse is a long-time resident of Los Altos and brings a wealth of business experience to Child Advocates’ Board of Directors as an independent business consultant to growing mid-size startups. Debbie founded the Foster5K with her friend and long-distance runner, Joy Erf, in 2017 to raise awareness and give the broader community a way to financially support children in foster care at an affordable price point. She and her husband Chris Crouse adopted their two children from foster care and understand first-hand how difficult life in foster care can be.
About Child Advocates of Silicon Valley
Child Advocates of Silicon Valley is an independent nonprofit 501(c) 3 organization created in 1986. We serve children aged birth to 21 years old who are placed in the Santa Clara County Dependency Court System for having experienced trauma in the form of abuse, neglect and/or abandonment. We are responsible for operating the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program in Santa Clara County, which entails recruiting, training, and supporting CASA Volunteers according to the National CASA Association standards. To learn more, please visit ChildAdvocatesSV.org.
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