5K Postponed by Sandy Back on with Focus on Storm Victims

As Superstorm Sandy approached Gloucester County last month, leaders of the Lauren Rose Albert Foundation made the difficult decision to call off the organization's premier fundraiser, a 5K race.

But Sandy could only postpone the race, not cancel it. Not only will the Mothers Matter 5K take place on Sunday, Nov. 25, but the rescheduled event allows organizers to add a Sandy relief effort aspect.

"We are partnering with the Red Cross-Southern Shore Chapter and asking everyone coming to the 5K to bring toiletry items to fill Mothers Matter 'comfort bags' for Hurricane Sandy victims in our shore communities," Susan Rose, foundation president, wrote in an email to Patch. "It's a natural for us, as we fill and distribute thousands of Mothers Matter gift bags each year."

The Mothers Matter 5K is run in memory of Rose's daughter, Lauren Rose Albert, a Cherry Hill native and mom of three killed in a car accident in 1999. The race supports the foundation's work of caring for vulnerable and needy mothers throughout South Jersey with gift bags and other support. (Learn more about the foundation and Albert's life at Mothers Matter 5K Honors South Jersey Woman's Life of Giving.)

The Mothers Matter 5K is on Nov. 25 at 9 a.m. at Washington Lake Park, 626 Hurfville Cross Keys Rd., Sewell. Online registration is closed, but in-person registration begins at 7:30 a.m. race day. Get more information at active.com.