BOONE, N.C. — The Health Foundation Inc. has provided matching funds for the eighth annual Spooky Duke Race and Costume Contest to take place in fall 2018.

Kaaren Hayes, director and outreach coordinator for Appalachian State University’s Parent to Parent Family Support Network-High Country (FSN-HC), is the recipient of the $10,000 grant.

The Halloween-themed fundraising and awareness raising event is a USA Track & Field (USATF)-certified 5K and 10K race with a free costume march and contest where children, adults and pets can all show off their unique costumes and share in the fun. The race is named in honor of Dr. Charles R. Duke, event sponsor and former dean of the university’s Reich College of Education.

Parent to Parent Family Support Network-High Country, housed in Appalachian’s Reich College of Education, provides free support and information to families who have a premature baby; a child with a disability, an emotional or behavioral challenge, a mental illness or a chronic health condition; or to families who are grieving the death of a child. The program serves Alleghany, Ashe, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties.

All proceeds from this race enable Parent to Parent FSN-HC to continue to support local families who have children with special needs.

Several Appalachian students will help organize the event this fall.

Oct

28

2017 Spooky Duke Race and Costume Contest

Oct. 28, 2017

5k and 10k races at 9 a.m.; costume march at 10 a.m.

Raley/Peacock parking lot

The 7th annual Spooky Duke Race and Costume Contest will be held on the campus of Appalachian State University to benefit Parent to Parent Family Support Network™-High Country.

Learn more

About Parent to Parent Family Support Network-High Country

Parent to Parent Family Support Network-High Country (FSN-HC) provides free support, caring connections, information and hope to families who have a premature baby, a child with a disability, an emotional or behavioral challenge, a mental illness or a chronic health condition, and to families who are grieving the death of a child. The program serves seven counties in Western North Carolina: Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey. Parent to Parent FSN-HC provides information and tools to help families see the possibilities for their children and turn that potential into reality. Learn more at https://parent2parent.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

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