Turnout for Special Operations Warrior Foundation a thriller

The New Tampa community of Grand Hampton recently held its second annual community 5K road race and children’s one-mile fun run, raising $6,050 for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

The theme of the event this year, held on Oct. 17, was the “Grand Hamptoween Monster Dash” and “‘Lil Monster Dash,” featuring a twilight run through the streets of Grand Hampton. Children and adults also competed in monster costume contests, sponsored by Cartwright Realty.

A haunted house, bounce houses, DJ dance party, face painting, popcorn, pizza and food catered by OTB Delights Café provided hours of fun and entertainment to hundreds of Grand Hampton residents and Tampa Bay-area runners. Florida Race Management provided the 5K race course and timing, as all runners had chipped bibs this year.

A “flash mob” of monster dancers set the tone for the race, performing a routine to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

Twelve other area corporations and businesses combined as donors for this year’s race, and many were present at the race site.

Walgreens at Country Line Road and Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. was a second-year sponsor and also provided flu shots on-site. Other second-year sponsors were the Melrose Management Partnership, Two Men & A Truck, The Breakfast Nook of Lutz, Valley Crest, Bright House Networks, Dr. Lisa LaPresti of Sea of Smiles Children’s Dentistry and ICI Homes.

First-year sponsors included AAA, Donna “K” Kempinksi of Keller Williams, Ierna’s Heating & Cooling and Dr. Bill Scheu’s New Tampa Chiropractic & Injury Center.

The Tampa-based Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) provides full scholarships and grants as well as counseling to the surviving children of special operations personnel who die in operational or training missions. Immediate financial assistance also is provided to severely wounded special operations personnel and their families.

As the main community event for the fall season, this year’s Grand Hamptoween 5K race more than doubled the charitable donation to SOWF over last year’s race and provided lots of family and athletic fun for all.— Special to the Neighborhood News