Miles for Matheny - "On Top of the Hill"

27^th Annual Wheelchair Walk Features Something for Everyone

May 28, 2024 - Peapack, NJ – Matheny’s signature wheelchair walk and biggest fundraiser of the year will be held on Saturday, June 8^th. And this year, for the first time ever, the event will be held on Matheny’s beautiful Peapack campus.  Miles is an uplifting day that allows Matheny’s residents, students, and other people with different abilities to interact with, and be celebrated by, the surrounding community.

“Our residents look forward to Miles every year,” says Sean Bielefeldt, VP of Life Enrichment Therapies and Community Living at Matheny.  “The excitement definitely builds as we get closer to the day of the event. Miles for Matheny is one of our favorite days of the year!”

Brand new this year - Miles for Matheny offers the opportunity for runners/walkers to enjoy a Trail Run/Walk through Matheny’s property and part of the scenic and historic Blairsden estate.  Children ages 3 – 10 have their own race – the Porzio Kids Fun Run.  This year’s Hilltop sponsor is Daiichi Sankyo, Inc..  The Lu Higgins Wheelchair Walk, sponsored by the Lavine and Gordon families, is the signature event of Miles for Matheny. Cyclists can enjoy rides through the beautiful country side.

This year, Matheny is partnering with the Morris County Freewheelers’ Revolutionary Ramble.  Go to bike.reg.com/revolutionary-ramble to register. Enter the code MATHENY24 when prompted to sign up as a Matheny cyclist.  Volunteers from Peapack Private, a longtime supporter of Matheny, will provide rest stop refreshments. Special thanks to the Bedminster Flyers, another longtime supporter, for connecting us to the Morris County Freewheelers.

Miles for Matheny 2024 features plenty of fun for the whole family.  Carnival games, a petting zoo, a bounce house, face painting and wonderful refreshments are all on tap.  The Friends of Matheny will provide their usual breakfast treats at the Breakfast of Champions.  The Friends are dedicated to enriching the lives of the children and adults at Matheny through funds raised by the Second Chance Thrift Shop in Gladstone, NJ. A barbeque and food trucks are also open to participants.  Registration/check-in opens at 9 am.  The Trail Run/Walk starts at 9:30 am and Entertainment begins at 10 am.  The Kids Fun Run starts at 11 am and the high point of the event - the Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk – begins at 11:30 am.       

Matheny is deeply grateful for the more than 40 generous Miles for Matheny sponsors this year.  These include corporate partners and community organizations along with many families and local/regional businesses. All sponsors can be found on the event website www.matheny.org.  Major sponsors include Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. and Pfizer, as well as the Gordon and Lavine Families, GoodWill Foundation and Patrick’s Pals.  Food items donated by Wakefern/ShopRite and all our in-kind contributors will help to make Miles for Matheny a day of great fun, fitness and food.

Registration for Miles for Matheny is now open until June 6^th but walk-ins are always welcome. Go to matheny.org to register for an event, create a fundraising team, or make a donation.  For more information email milesformatheny@matheny.org.