Matheny Celebrates 80th Anniversary During Annual ‘Miles for Matheny’ Wheelchair Walk & 5K Trail Run/Walk Challenge

Matheny Celebrates 80th Anniversary During Annual ‘Miles for Matheny’ Wheelchair Walk & 5K Trail Run/Walk Challenge

Somerset Hills Community Event to Feature Soccer-Themed Celebrations for World Cup and USA 250th

PEAPACK, NJ (May 21, 2026) – The community is invited to join Matheny residents, students, families, and friends to celebrate a historic milestone. Founded in 1946, Matheny has been enriching lives and growing abilities for people with developmental disabilities for 80 years.

The 2026 Miles for Matheny will take place on Saturday, May 30, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Matheny School and Hospital campus (65 Highland Avenue, Peapack, NJ).

As New Jersey prepares to host the FIFA World Cup this summer, Miles for Matheny is joining the excitement with soccer-themed games and giveaways. The event also coincides with a double celebration: Matheny’s 80th anniversary and the United States’ 250th birthday. “The USA’s 250th birthday and the World Cup teach us that the most meaningful victories come when we work together toward a common goal,” said Nancy Hamstra, Matheny’s President and CEO. “This sentiment perfectly aligns with our mission. I am proud that everyone at Matheny works together to provide excellent healthcare and education for the hundreds of amazing people we serve.”

Event Highlights:

• The Signature Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk: An event highlight where residents, joined by family and guests, traverse a special route around the campus.
• 5K Trail Run/Walk Challenge: A scenic but challenging course featuring views of the Matheny campus, the neighboring Blairsden estate, Natirar Park, and the surrounding Somerset Hills.
• Kids’ Fun Run & Obstacle Course: Open to children ages 3–12.
• Family Fun Zone: Featuring live music, a BBQ lunch, food trucks, carnival games, a petting zoo, and inflatable games.

Created in 1998 by long-time board member and supporter Lu Huggins, Miles for Matheny began as a modest fundraiser to raise awareness and break the isolation often faced by people with disabilities. It has since grown into Matheny’s signature annual fundraiser. All proceeds support Matheny’s specialized hospital, school, group homes, therapies, and life enrichment activities.

For more information and to register, visit: https://matheny.org/miles-for-matheny-2026/

2025 Miles for Matheny photos can be seen here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/j2hhqses1lglrelrn07ox/AKrZO5s38mSTCQO3Xg0pVVk?rlkey=sunjkqlb2uc61yvah6wm7iwc8&st=6m6pemtu&dl=0

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About Matheny                     

Matheny’s mission is to provide exceptional care and an optimal quality of life for children and adults with special needs and medically complex developmental disabilities. Matheny is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization headquartered in Somerset County. It was founded in 1946 after Walter and Marguerite Matheny’s son, Chuck, was born with cerebral palsy (CP) into a world ill-equipped to care for children with special needs. Matheny patients have a diverse range of medically complex developmental disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Lesch-Nyhan Disease (LND), and a wide range of rare diseases including Rett syndrome, Angelman syndrome, Cornelia De Lange syndrome, Wolf-Hirshorn syndrome, and others. To learn more about Matheny, visit matheny.org or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn using handle @mathenymedical.