This incredible event brought the entire community together on a sunny afternoon to raise funds for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
EAST BRUNSWICK – With soapy bubbles making a colorful mess, hundreds ran in the first local Bubble Palooza on June 25 at the Middlesex County Fairgrounds. Organized by residents Shalini Samtani and Keerthana Annamaneni, the fun and foamy event raised $18,286 for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
“It will benefit the Nephrology Patient Support Fund to help families with the emotional and financial burden of caring for an ill child,” Samtani said. “We had almost 200 registered participants and received an additional $488 in donations on the day of the event.”
Bubble Palooza is an annual event that has taken place in Miami, New York, New Jersey and Atlanta, Annamaneni said. As participants run through the event, stations filled with colored bubble-blowing machines spray bubbles on runners every 15 minutes. Runners also receive a packet of colored cornstarch at the start to add to the colorful experience.
“It will benefit the Patient Support Fund to help families with the emotional and financial burden of caring for an ill child.”
Local businesses, families and VIPs, including township Mayor Kevin McEvoy, Satori Academy, Bionpharma, the Monetssori School, Eagles Landing Day Camp, and the Max Challenge of East Brunswick, created fundraising teams for the event. Food sponsors included the Halal Guys, Taco Bell and Mancini’s Pizza.
According to Annamaneni, the Dhruv family was the top contributor, raising $2,375 and executives of Bionpharma, a local pharmaceutical company, agreed to match the donations of Bionpharma employees, resulting in donations close to $4,000.
McEvoy was on hand to open the family-friendly 5K at the fairgrounds. Both organizers said that McEvoy was integral to Bubble Palooza’s preparations and grateful to the entire community for their support.