This coming weekend is Run for the Redfish at Pier Park then the weekend after, many of our PCB Daily friends are headed to Sandestin’s Baytowne Marina to light up the night with the Luminaria Run to END Domestic Violence at 5 pm on Saturday, December 8th.

 

Shelter House, the domestic violence center serving nearby Okaloosa and Walton counties, is once again teaming up with Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort for a unique twilight run that will shine the light on domestic violence in our area.

The Luminaria Run to End Domestic Violence will take place on Saturday, December 8, starting and ending at Sandestin’s Baytowne Marina. The course will be lined with more than 2,000 luminarias, lighting the path for the runners.

 

The race includes 5k and 9k courses winding throughout Sandestin. “We chose the 9k distance to represent that a woman is assaulted or beaten every nine seconds in the U.S.,” explained Shelter House Executive Director Michelle Sperzel. “The luminarias symbolize how Shelter House and our community partners light the way to a safer place for victims of domestic violence.”

 

Children are encouraged to participate in the run. This family-friendly event will include a party at the finish line featuring s’mores, thanks to the Destin Dream Team  and hot cocoa to keep us warm courtesy of San Gelato.

 

This is a twilight race starting at 5pm. Registration for the 5k is $25 for adults in advance or $35 on site and $10 for children in advance or $15 on site. The 9k race costs $40 in advance or $50 on race day for adults and $15 in advance and $20 on race day for children. Walkers are also welcome.

 

Luminary bags will be labeled and placed along the course in honor or in memory of loved ones. Bags are available through a $10 donation to Shelter House and can be purchased at the Shelter House office in Fort Walton Beach or on site the day of the race.

 

 If you want to make a weekend out of it, you can……Sandestin is offering special rates for race participants wishing to stay at the resort. Call 800-622-1038 for reservations or reserve online at www.sandestin.com with the group code HOUSE2.

 

To register, please go to www.shelterhousenwfl.org or www.imathlete.com. For more information on the race, sponsorships or luminary bags, call Shelter House at 850-243-1201.

 

You can also stay tuned into the Luminaria Run via some of the Event’s generous media sponsors such as Sowal.com, 30a.com, SouthWalton.com and Destin Shines.

 

The inaugural Luminaria Run drew more than 260 runners last year and raised over $7,000 to help keep abused women and children safe.

 

 

Shelter House, Inc. is a state certified domestic violence center serving Okaloosa and Walton Counties and offering emergency confidential shelter, crisis counseling, a 24-hour hotline, children’s programs, information and referrals, education, professional training, safety planning and prevention services to survivors of domestic violence and their children.

 

If you feel that a family member or intimate partner is endangering your physical or emotional safety or if you know someone experiencing this in their home, call Shelter House’s hotline at 1-800-44-ABUSE or 850-863-4777.

 

Shelter House depends on the generous heart of many local small businesses including but not limited to: ERA Realty of NWFL, Waterstone Mortgage, Dixie Electric Car, Emerald Coastierge, Pleat & Perry, Run with It, Pyroshows, Golds Gym, BE Events, KIND Bars, Furry Fanatics, Think it Wear it Express, Lululemon, NWFL Track Club, Emerald Coast Chiropractic, Chobani, Marriot Courtyard, Beach-N-Bakery, GLAS Designs, Silversands Premium Outlets, Wagley Design, Off the Vine and Many MORE!