By Amy Batista, Special Writer
HIGHTSTOWN — The Hightstown High School Parents Association After-Prom Committee is hosting its eighth annual Memorial 5K Run and Fun Walk in honor of Stephanie Berman who died in a motor vehicle crash more than a decade ago.
"This event in memory of my daughter," said Keith Berman in an email on Sunday. "The event is to spread awareness on underage drinking and driving."
She passed away on July 15, 2000 as a result of a car accident on Nurko Road in Roosevelt, he said.
It has been 14 years since she died, but her memory lives on through her family and friends.
"The message is for children and parents to be aware of the choices that teenagers make and the impact their choices make," he said, adding, especially when they get behind the wheel.
The Stephanie Dara Berman Memorial 5K Run and Fun Walk event will be held at the Hightstown High School located at 25 Leshin Lane in Hightstown on Sept. 14 and includes a 5K run and a one mile fun walk.
Check-in and registration starts at 8 a.m. followed by the Run/Walk which starts at 10 a.m.
The entrance fee is $20 and student registration fee is $5 including the day of the race.
Mr. Berman and the Hightstown High School Parents Association After-Prom Committee organize it.
"Proceeds go towards the prom," he said.
The objective of the fundraiser is to help contribute financially to the efforts of the Hightstown High School Parents Association After-Prom Committee.
"We recognize the great work this committee has done and would not want to consider the alternative if it did not exists or did not have enough funding to properly execute the party," the group states on its website. "We hope that our sponsors and runners feel the same way and help contribute to our event so the kids of Hightstown High School can enjoy a safe and exciting prom season."
Last year, the event raised approximately $2,500 and approximately 100 people attended, he said.
The sponsors include businesses from Freehold, Hightstown and the East Windsor area.
"We would like to see more support from the Hightstown area since Stephanie lived there and the event takes place there," he said.
For more information, please visit www.stephanie5krun.org.
