ShopRite Supermarkets and members of Union Baptist Church, held its second annual “Taking Steps to Rebuild” 5K Walk-A-Thon to raise money to assist in the rebuilding of the 100-year old Union Baptist Church in New Rochelle, which was tragically destroyed in a fire on Valentine’s Day 2011. The event was held at Five Islands Park in New Rochelle, NY.
A ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by Pastor Reginald Hudson of Union Baptist Church, New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson, Lady Shelly Hudson of Union Baptist Church, Stephanie Quarles, the Executive Minister of Union Baptist Church, Tom Urtz, Vice President HR & Community Affairs, ShopRite Supermarkets and Patricia Cruz, Westchester County HR Area Specialist, ShopRite Supermarkets.
Established in 1913, Union Baptist Church is one of New Rochelle’s earliest African-American religious organizations and currently home to over 250 local parishioners as well as others who commute from New York City, Fairfield, Putnam and Rockland Counties. Built in 1904, the church was destroyed in a fire this past February.
ShopRite Supermarkets, members of the church and the community are hard at work in order to reach the fundraising goal of $250,000.
The “Taking Steps to Rebuild” 5K Walk-A-Thon included an outdoor picnic following the walk complete with refreshments, music, giveaways, raffles and activities compliments of ShopRite.
As part of fundraising initiatives led by ShopRite, its customers and store associates, the money raised will benefit the rebuilding of the church and the continued operation of its Manna Ministry food-distribution program, which has supported over 2,500 families, handed out more than 6,000 bags of food and served 3,000 hot meals every Friday in the past year.
Donations are currently being accepted at www.ubcr.org