In it Together: The Madison Area YMCA Works with a Local Corporation to Make a Meaningful Difference

(Madison, NJ) May 11, 2018 – On Wednesday, May 16, the Madison Area YMCA will host "The Mind Matters 5K: Mentally Healthy One Stride at a Time” and 1-mile family fun run/walk on the campus of Giralda Farms in Madison. 

The Madison Area YMCA is committed to providing life-enhancing health and wellness programming to all. The community is fortunate to have local corporations wholeheartedly participate in these efforts. PGIM Real Estate, a race sponsor, has a tradition of bringing a team of employees each year to run the 5K.

“PGIM Real Estate is proud to sponsor and encourage employee participation in the Madison Area YMCA’s 5K event annually, helping to support the YMCA’s Madison-area programming efforts and mental health initiatives – all right outside our headquarters,” said Cathy Marcus, global chief operating officer and head of the United States for PGIM Real Estate.

All proceeds raised from the event will benefit the Y's programs that heal the whole person emotionally, mentally and physically. The Y’s Community Mental Health Initiative raises awareness and lowers the stigmas associated with mental illness. CMHI also focuses on reducing barriers to mental health care by providing community members with knowledge and skills to increase help-offering behaviors.

“At PGIM Real Estate, we believe that doing the right thing for our people, the environment and our communities leads to better results for all our stakeholders. Every May, PGIM Real Estate team members look forward to and rally around this 5K race. It has become a true teambuilding event for us, with participation growing every year since we started partnering with the YMCA on the event in 2012. The camaraderie amongst colleagues before, during and after the race is both fun and rewarding, but the team is equally as inspired to support the YMCA’s programming efforts within our community,” said Ms. Marcus. 

Lace up your running shoes. Run for fun and a great cause! Register for the race/walk online at www.madisonareaymca.org, visit the Family Center’s Welcome Center to register in person or print the application and mail with a check payable to the Madison Area YMCA to: Madison Area YMCA, 111 Kings Road, Madison, NJ 07940. All children ages 7 and under are free for the fun run/walk. USATF members receive $3 off race registration by Friday, May 11. Packet pick up will be at Whole Foods Market on Tuesday, May 15, from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Check-in and race day registration: 5-6 p.m.; 5K Start: 6:30 p.m.; 1 Mile Family Fun Run/Walk: 6:35 p.m. (*Immediately following 5K Start)

Other programs being highlighted at the event are Project Community Pride, a youth counseling program, and the Y’s wellness and health enhancing programs: LIVESTRONG^® at the YMCA, a cancer survivors’ program; The Diabetes Prevention Program; One Step, a multiple sclerosis program; Delay the Disease^TM, a Parkinson’s disease wellness program; Enhance^®Fitness, an arthritis wellness program; and Healthy Hearts, a post-cardiac rehabilitation program. The Y also has a range of youth sports, youth leadership programs, enrichment classes and adult fitness classes.

Please lace up your running shoes and join us—run for fun and a great cause!

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