LAWRENCE: Woman, 91, raring to go for HomeFront race

Despite declining mobility, 91-year-old Bernice Roud said no one is going to stop her from taking part in HomeFront’s annual 5K Run/Walk for Hope fundraiser, set for June 2 at the Educational Testing

By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
   Despite declining mobility, 91-year-old Bernice Roud said no one is going to stop her from taking part in HomeFront’s annual 5K Run/Walk for Hope fundraiser, set for June 2 at the Educational Testing Service on Rosedale Road.
   ”There is no way they can keep me out of this,” said Ms. Roud, who plans to participate in the 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk competition — in her wheelchair. She is also likely to be one of a handful of contestants in the 85-year-old-and-up category.
   Ms. Roud has participated in nearly every one of HomeFront’s Run/Walk for Hope fundraisers since the event’s inception five years ago — and frequently finds herself in the winner’s circle at the end of the 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk.
   The event, which is divided into separate 5K Run, 5K Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk competitions, raises money for the Lawrence-based nonprofit organization, which helps the homeless and the working poor.
   This year, registration for the Run/Walk for Hope fundraiser will begin at 9 a.m. at ETS. The 5K run begins at 10 a.m., followed by the 5K Walk at 10:15 a.m. The 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk begins at 10:30 a.m. The trophy ceremony is set for 11 a.m., and the fundraising awards ceremony is at 11:30 a.m.
   ”I was so envious of the people who ran (in the 5K race) that I needed to be a part of it. I have been involved with HomeFront for so long, I thought, ‘Gee whiz, why can’t I take part in this,’” Ms. Roud said.
   So, she signed up to take part. Last year, and again this year, Ms. Roud will take part in her wheelchair. It is still “great fun” to participate, even though she needs someone to push the wheelchair, she said.
   ”There are so many people (who participate) to support HomeFront. It’s so exciting. There are hundreds of people in the race. You see them all lined up and ready to go,” said Ms. Roud, whose daughter, Connie Mercer, is HomeFront’s executive director.
   Ms. Roud became involved with HomeFront after she moved to Lawrence to be closer to her daughter. Ms. Roud lived in Massachusetts for many years, but after her husband died, she moved to Florida with her son.
   ”I came to visit Connie and I fell in love with HomeFront. There is meaningful work to do. I decided to stay,” Ms. Roud said. That was about 20 years ago. She volunteered to help in the development division and also worked with the database. She said she has “loved every minute of it.”
   Ms. Mercer, the executive director, said the goal is to raise $30,000 for HomeFront’s summer camp program. The morning is spent on academic pursuits, but in the afternoon, the children take part in traditional camp activities, such as swimming and arts and crafts.
   Fundraising is especially important this year, because the federal sequestration has taken its toll, Ms. Mercer said. There are about 90 children — many of whom are homeless — that depend on HomeFront for summer camp, she said. It’s the only chance they will have to experience summer camp.
    “They will remember summer camp for the rest of their lives,” Ms. Roud added. Meanwhile, Ms. Roud is gearing up to take part in the 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk. It’s a nice, joyful event, she said. The prospect of participating in a wheelchair — as she has done for the past couple of years — does not faze her. “I think I am going to do this until I am 95,” Ms. Roud said with a smile.For more information, visit www.homefrontnj.org. to sign up for the Run/Walk for Hope fundraiser.