San Diego CA— Home of Guiding Hands (HGH), a non-profit organization that provides services, training and advocacy to people with developmental and intellectual disabilities and their families, will host the 8th annual Randy Jones Run-Walk for Independence 5k, on Saturday, Feb. 17 at Crown Point Park, 3700 Crown Point Drive, in San Diego’s Mission Bay.
HGH said the fundraiser’s 500 participants are expected to raise more than $50,000 in support of HGH’s programs and services. The three-mile route along San Diego Bay is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. Check-in begins at 7 a.m. Cost to participate is $40 for adults, $35 for students, military and seniors. All participants will receive a t-shirt, goody bag and participation medal. KSON103.7-FM’s morning team of Tammy Lee and John Flint will emcee the awards ceremony. The top three finishers will be eligible to attend a future “HGH Day at the Padres” at Petco Park. For more event information, visit www.randyjonesrunwalk.org.
Former San Diego Padres player and event namesake Randy Jones will attend to sign autographs and meet with fans. Jones, a left-handed pitcher with a baffling sinker, was the franchise’s first National League Cy Young award winner (1976). He pitched from 1973 to 1980 and has remained heavily involved with the team and community since then. The Padres retired Jones’ number 35 in 1997. In 1997, Jones was inducted as a charter member of the Padres Hall of Fame.
HGH is one of the largest providers of supports and services in San Diego and Imperial Counties serving more than 2,500 children, adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities including Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and autism. HGH supports individuals who live independently in their own homes and communities of choice, as well as about 150 residents of 31 HGH-operated homes in the San Diego area communities of El Cajon, Lakeside, San Carlos, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley, and Santee. In addition to residential services, HGH operates a Respite program, Life Planning trainings and an early childhood program, along with transportation services and counseling with family support services.