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“The Toledo Jack and Jill members wanted the focus of this
inaugural family-fun event to emphasize the freedoms that
all citizens enjoy in America,” said Arnyka Harris,
JUNETEENTH 5K Run/Walk chairman.
Alexis Means, WTVG 13abc reporter, will serve as the event
mistress of ceremonies/host, and serving as event honorary
co-chairmen are Ian English, candidate for Common Pleas
Judge, and Vallie Bowman-English, clerk of court/Toledo
Municipal Court. Lee Randle, a member of the Ohio 5th
Infantry Regiment U.S. Colored Troop Company C, an area
Civil War black regiment reenactment group, will be on hand
to help start the 5K Run/Walk and educate attendees about
blacks in the Civil War era.
Jack and Jill’s 5K Run/Walk honors the observance of
Juneteenth, the oldest known celebration commemorating the
ending of slavery in the United States. Although slavery
officially ended in the U.S. in 1863 with President
Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, it wasn’t until 1865
that this important news hit Galveston, Texas. Juneteenth’s
roots lie in the U.S. Civil War era.
“Today, Juneteenth celebrations like Jack and Jill’s
JUNETEENTH Inaugural 5K Run/Walk are held in most, if not
all 50 states, establishing Juneteenth as a special day of
recognition,” said Kelli Winston, Toledo Chapter Jack and
Jill President.
Interested walkers and runners are encouraged to register in
advance by clicking on the link above. On-site registration
will also be available (7:30-8:30 a.m. on event day).
The Toledo Chapter of Jack and Jill of America,
Incorporated would like to extend its sincere gratitude to
the following community sponsors and supporters: WTVG 13abc
and Alexis Means, The Andersons, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick,
LLP, Toledo RoadRunners Club, Ohio 5th Infantry
Regiment U.S. Colored Troop Company C, and event honorary
Co-Chairmen English and Bowman-English.
Jack & Jill of America, Inc. was founded on January 24, 1938
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in a meeting of 20 mothers
under the leadership of
Marion Stubbs Thomas with the idea of bringing together
children in a social and cultural environment.
Locally, the Toledo Chapter of Jack and Jill of America,
Inc., was founded in December 1952 by a group of
exceptionally loving women who were all dedicated mothers.
Catherine Holland was the chapter’s first president. |
