Parkmall to hold charity run for kids with cancer

CEBU, Philippines - Buoyed by its ardent desire to inspire people and touch lives as it celebrates its fifth anniversary, the management of Parkmall will be staging a fun run billed as "The Green Mile:Running the distance for kids with cancer" on October 27 starting and ending at the mall's Piazza.

"In our line of business, it's not everything about creating income. We also want to share and give back to the public and help in nation-building that is why we are coming up with this charity fun run," said Parkmall general manager Neal Carlson Co during the event's launching yesterday at Dong Juan restaurant.

Being part of its community outreach service, the charity race is for the benefit of The Freeman Foundation, which has been of service to the Cebuanos for the past 25 years already through its various medical missions, back-to-school and feeding programs in remote barangays of the province.

"This something big for Parkmall and something big for The Freeman Foundation," said Parkmall marketing supervisor Genica I. Mijares. "Through this run, you can go extra mile in helping indigents kids who are in dire need of help."

Mijares expounded the run is titled "The Green Mile" because green, aside from being eco-friendly, is the official of Parkmall as evident of its architectural design.

"Green also symbolizes charity, protection, hope and growth and that is something we want to impart to the children of The Freeman Foundation," said Mijares, even as she also offers some enlightening words to those who will be joining the fund-raising activity to "run with your legs to be fast, run with your mind to be faster, and run with your heart to be unstoppable."

For his part, The Freeman General Manager Melandro "Bhoy" M. Mendoza extended his profound gratitude to Parkmall for choosing TF Foundation as beneficiary of its noble endeavor.

A total of P75,000 in cash prize is at stake for the top performers of the race that features the 3K, 6K, 12K, and 21K categories. Medals will also be given away to all finishers under the 21K division.

Living up to its billing as the city's first pet-friendly mall, the organizers have added a special 'one-kilometer run with your dog' category. Proceeds of which will be donated to the Island Rescue Organization (IRO), a non-government group that aims to promote humane treatment for all beings.

All the participants are also advised to run with their own superhero costume for a chance to receive exciting freebies.

"We're targeting over 2,000 entries for this race. Registration will officially start on Monday yet and those who are interested to join may get their entry forms at the customer service center here at Parkmall," said Mijares. (FREEMAN)