On Sunday, October 21st, runners, walkers, families and volunteers will gather at San Clemente’s Plaza Pacifica shopping center, not for their morning coffee or grocery shopping, but to participate in the 4th annual TRACE 3 San Clemente 5k~ 10k~ 1/2k kids’ race benefitting San Clemente-based non-profit, Hope 4 Hanna.

Hope 4 Hanna was started by close friends and neighbors the Aldersons and Beldens, in 2008 in honor of the Belden’s daughter Johanna (“Hanna”), who was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) shortly after her second birthday.

Hope 4 Hanna’s mission is to create a less challenging road for families dealing with autism, currently affecting one in every 88 children today, a staggering statistic.

Once diagnosed, every child and their family faces responsibilities like behavioral and biomedical interventions, occupational and speech therapies, dietary restrictions, education planning, specialized playdates and socialization classes. But the resources and therapies often come with a steep price tag, which many families can’t afford.

Since the inaugural race in 2009, Hope 4 Hanna has raised and donated more than $300,000 to leading autism care, treatment and advocacy organizations including Autism Speaks, Talk about Curing Autism (TACA), and ACT Today.

In addition, Hope 4 Hanna has also funded biomedical scholarships, socialization groups, Spanish language advocacy and marriage counseling for families in financial need.

This year’s event kicks off at 7am with the 5K & 10K, followed by the 1/2K kids’ fun run at 9am and welcomes serious runners to casual walkers and everyone in between to participate!

The race will also feature its Resource Fair, open from 7am – 12pm, offering a wealth of information for families seeking answers about anything from diagnosis to legal issues to different therapy options.

New for 2012 is the TACA Fallapalooza Festival for Families.  Open from 10am – noon, the sensory family-friendly activities will include a bounce house, pumpkin painting, face painting, mask creating and other fun fall activities for kids on the autism spectrum, their siblings and friends.

Cost for the Fallapalooza is $10 per family (up to 4), and +$5 for each additional child. Registration includes activities & snacks for the kids. Click HERE to register.

For complete event information and to register for the race, please visit www.hope4hanna.com. Register by September 28th to take advantage of lower early bird prices.

Hope 4 Hanna Fundraiser this Week! 

Grab some girlfriends and make it a moms’ night out this Thursday, September 27th from 6pm – 9pm where you can SHOP for a cause at the Hope 4 Hanna clothing party at Talega Village Center!

At the event, guests will have the opportunity to purchase everything from boutique clothing, to Stella & Dot jewelry, adorable flip flips and children’s goodies.  You can also sign up for the race that night!

Food and drinks will be provided by Sundried Tomato and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Hope 4 Hanna. What a great way to get some early holiday shopping done for a cause! 

www.hope4hanna.com