By Lisa Morgan
Next Saturday, should you see an entire herd of Santa Claus/Santa Clauses/Santa Cli running and walking along Fred Waring Drive in Palm Desert, do not panic! Santa has simply enlisted like hearted helpers like you and me to participate in the spectacular Great Santa Run and Kris Kringle Walk supporting the incredible work of the Desert Friends of the Developmentally Disabled and We Care Dental Center. Be grateful that all participants in this year’s event will receive a five piece Santa outfit for either the 4-kilometer run or one-mile walk as there are other walks where naughty and somewhat unsightly Santas merely don Spedos. Our properly dressed santas will begin their walk or run at 10:15 am at Palm Desert’s Civic Center Park, located at the northeast corner of Fred Waring Drive and San Pablo Avenue in Palm Desert. This year’s event and every year following will compete for the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest Santa Run EVER!
Proceeds from the Great Santa Run will be used to help support the much needed care offered to the developmentally challenged at the We Care Dental Clinic in Rancho Mirage. This clinic has been making headlines and more importantly beautiful smiles due to their innovative efforts in care for their very special clientele. The clinic not only provides free dental services to developmentally challenged adults and children, but also makes low-cost dental services available to seniors 55 and over and veterans who have no insurance, are under-insured or are on fixed incomes.
The walk will be followed by a rally and entertainment provided by event co-chairs Chris Burke and Lauren Potter. Burke, best known for his character, Charles “Corky” Thacher on the popular television series “Life Goes On” is also a folk singer who lives Down syndrome. Chris will be accompanied by the DeMasi brothers, who together, have been delighting audiences throughout the U.S. and Canada with their music. Lauren Potter is also known as Becky Jackson, the Cheerios co-captain on the hit TV show Glee. Lauren and her character Becky both live with Down syndrome, but she doesn’t let it stop her from doing things she wants to do, such as acting.
Come out and join us in support of this essential organization and its services. Registration can be done online at www.dfddnow.org, great-santa-run@eventbrite.com, or can process the day of the event from 8 am to 10 am.
For information, call (760) 832-6555.
Comments are closed.