Spokane, WA—For the first time this year, Bloomsday participants and their family and friends will have a way to express hopes, aspirations, remembrances and encouragement by having messages printed in The Inlander’s May 4th Bloomsday issue. Personalized ads will cost $30, with all proceeds benefiting Bloomsday’s official charity, the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery.
“This seemed like a fun opportunity for people to go public with how they feel about participating in Bloomsday,” said Bloomsday Race Director Don Kardong. “And it also seemed like a great way to help raise funds for the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery.”
Wishes made in The Inlander must be submitted by April 27, and may be bits of encouragement, pats on the back, or messages written in memory of a friend or relative. Messages can be up to five lines, with 25 total words in each message. Anyone interested in booking a message or wanting more information should call The Inlander at (509) 325-0634 ext. 212, or send an e-mail to bloomsdaywishes@inlander.com.
The Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery has been designated Bloomsday’s official charity for both 2006 and 2007. The Nursery was founded in 1987 in memory of Vanessa Kay Behan, a Spokane girl who died from child abuse injuries at the age of two. Since then the facility has served as a safe haven for more than 40,000 children. The Crisis Nursery cares for children from birth to age six, 24 hours a day, for up to 72 hours at a time. Children are welcomed at the Crisis Nursery with unconditional love and attention, while staff works with parents to help resolve the crises in their lives. Services for parents include parenting classes, crisis counseling and referrals to other community support resources. Last year the Crisis Nursery provided services to 3,000 children and their families.
For those planning to enter the 30th annual Lilac Bloomsday Run, online registration is available at www.bloomsdayrun.org, and printed entry brochures are available at locations throughout the Inland Northwest. Mailed in entries must be postmarked by April 18 to avoid the late entry fee of $30.00. In addition, Gart Sports will be taking entry forms at their two local stores from now until the entry deadline of April 18.
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