ROBBINVILLE: "Black Friday Run" fundraiser planned

   ROBBINSVILLE — Instead of only running around the mall on Black Friday, 12-year-old Jared Miller is asking the community to run around the Town Center Lake as well to raise money for the Special Olympics.
   Jared, a seventh-grade cross-country runner at Pond Road Middle School, is organizing the Nov. 23 event as part of his Bar Mitzvah community service project. All proceeds will benefit the Special Olympics and he hoping for a big turnout of residents eager to burn away extra Thanksgiving calories for a good cause.
   The Black Friday Fun Run is 1.25 miles on a paved path around the lake and the fun walk is six-tenths of a mile. Registration is from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. at the gazebo at West Lake Park. A minimum $10 donation per participant is requested.
   ”I would love if there are 75-plus participants so I could raise $750 or more to support the Special Olympics athletes,” Jared said. “We are encouraging entire families to participate in the event, not just athletes.”
   Parking is available along Lake Drive and in the lots along Union Street and Washington Boulevard across from the Foxmoor shopping center.
   The Township Council passed a resolution in support of Jared’s event at its last meeting. Councilwoman Sheree McGowan said whatever amount of money Jared’s Black Friday Run raises will be greatly appreciated by Special Olympics.
   For planning purposes, Jared asks that those planning to attend to RSVP to [email protected].