Samuel Dixon Family Health Centers, Inc.’s Heroes 5K Run/Walk, set for Saturday, March 27, will honor heroes in uniform who serve and protect local residents every day while in harm’s way.
Featured honorees will include former Los Angeles County Sheriff Captain, Mayor and City Councilman George Pederson; Los Angeles Police Department Medal of Valor recipient, Elizabeth Green; and Los Angeles County Sheriff liaison and returning Operation Iraqi Freedom soldier, Artie Thompson. Santa Clarita City councilman Bob Kellar will emcee the event.
All participating heroes in uniform will be recognized in an emotional demonstration of community love with the singing of “God Bless America.” The event will include a bagpipe ceremony and finishers of the run/walk will receive chocolate bars donated by Gotta Have Chocolate Now. Participants can enjoy a Heroes Hotcake Breakfast after the run. A raffle and awards presentation also will take place.
SDFHC board members Gene Dorio, MD, and Robin Clough are spearheading the event. “The Run/Walk will be a unique experience because we are honoring and celebrating the mild-mannered, Clark Kent type of heroes in uniform who live amongst us and daily go into harm’s way to serve and protect us,” Dr. Dorio said. “Many of these heroes blend into the community anonymously, without asking for recognition. This race will allow the Santa Clarita community to acknowledge their presence, and show our gratitude and give thanks for a job well-done.”
Clough echoed these sentiments, and drew a parallel between the heroes’ efforts and those of the beneficiary. “SDFHC is a healthcare hero in Santa Clarita, saving lives by ensuring quality health care for the uninsured and underinsured. With the economy in trouble, so many of our neighbors increasingly need this invaluable safety net. I hope the community will support this uniquely fun and meaningful family 5K Run/Walk, and they too will be heroes,” she said.
The fun family event will take place at 8 a.m. at Newhall Memorial Park, 24933 Newhall Ave., at the corner of Newhall Ave. and Dalbey Dr. Proceeds will benefit SDFHC, which offers health care for the underinsured and uninsured residents of the Santa Clarita Valley. A $25 registration fee is due by March 23; the event will be $30 on the day of the race. Register online at www.sdfhc.org/5k/5krun.html.
SDFHC operates three health centers in the Santa Clarita Valley—Canyon Country Health Center, Val Verde Health Center and Newhall Health Center—as well as outreach sites at College of the Canyons and California Institute of the Arts. SDFHC offers a full range of health care services—physicals, immunizations and vaccines, screenings and diagnostic tests, well baby care, and family planning—to those who may not seek health care elsewhere. Patients pay based on their income. SDFHC provided 10,061 patient encounters in calendar year 2009.