On your marks, get set
By Daily Press staff
The Saint John's Jimmy Stewart Relay Marathon benefits programs and services at Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica and will be held on Sunday, April 17 at Griffith Park. One of the largest five-person relay marathons in the United States, the Saint John’s Jimmy Stewart Relay Marathon is comprised of more than 20 divisions, according to age, gender and corporate and industry affiliation. Each individual runs 5.2 miles before passing on the baton for a total of 26.2 miles.
Since the first race in 1982, more than $8.5 million has been raised. Peter Rabbit hops in development, will stage its 13th annual Peter Rabbit Day, a special seasonal event for Santa Monica children and their families, on Saturday, March 26 at Mary Hotchkiss Park.
“Peter Rabbit Day is the Santa Monica Jaycees’ first youth-focused community service activity of 2005, and also one of the most popular and well-received events that the organization puts on annually,” said Carrie Spencer, president of the Santa Monica Jaycees.
“The ongoing success of Peter Rabbit Day can be attributed to the high-quality planning and execution of the group’s dedicated group of volunteers, as well as the sheer enjoyment of the experience that local children and parents have come to expect from this event year in and year out,” she said.
Scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., the event will showcase local youths ages 12 and under participating in an elaborate hunt for thousands of multicolored, candy-filled Easter eggs. Families and volunteers in attendance also will enjoy Easter egg coloring, face painting, games, and performances from clowns and costumed characters, including Peter Rabbit himself. In addition, representatives from the Santa Monica police and fire departments will be on hand to offer safety awareness demonstrations and information, tours of official vehicles, and safety-related giveaways.
Mary Hotchkiss Park is located in Santa Monica at 2302 Fourth St., at the corner of Fourth and Strand streets. Event signage and Santa Monica Jaycees representatives will direct attendees to the portion of the park where the principal festivities will be held.
For more information, call Nicole M. Averill at (310) 395-6901, or by e-mail at The Santa Monica Jaycees are also accepting individual and corporate donations, as well as sponsorships from local businesses, to fund the Peter Rabbit Day festivities and other community service programs the Jaycees conduct throughout the calendar year. Donation and sponsorship information may be also obtained by the contact information above.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 21, 2005. Read the original PDF.