HILLSBOROUGH: Resolution Run gives $4,100 to Project Graduation

Three animal-friendly groups also gain funds

   Hillsborough’s Project Graduation will benefit from $4,100 from the proceeds from the Resolution Run 5-kilometer footrace held on Jan. 1 each year.
   More than 600 runners and walkers participated.
   ”The snow left over from the December blizzard added some nice contrast and participants were able to enjoy the first day of 2011 with our 3.1-mile run or walk,” said race director Gary Verhoorn.
   Project Graduation Co-Chair Rhonda Brown said, “Gary and his run has been a major contributor for many years. Without valuable assistance such as this, there might not be a Project Graduation.”
   Project Graduation 2011 gives the Hillsborough High School graduating class a high-spirited, all-night celebration and party immediately following the commencement exercises in June. The program aims to provide a drug and alcohol-free celebration while giving graduates a positive sendoff.
   More than half of the proceeds of the 5-K are contributed to Project Graduation. The remainder is divided among local pet-friendly groups. Benefitting this year are:
   • Carol’s Cats, a non-profit organization dedicated to cat rescue and adoption programs. Carol’s Cats specializes in the rescue of feral and abandoned cats.
   • Companion Animal Placement Rescue of Hillsborough. CAP has been involved in local and national rescue operations, including several trips to New Orleans to rescue stranded dogs.
   • Greyhound Friends of New Jersey. They rescue as many dogs as they can from possible death after racing, give them appropriate medical care and place them in safe, loving homes.
   Project Graduation supplied students and parents as volunteers and the benefit pet groups had volunteers. The Somerset Runners Group supported the race with additional volunteers.