Live & Virtual Presentation Dates Available.
The Courage to Speak® Foundation offers the Courage to Speak® Presentation for students, parents, educators, and community members live and virtual. To request more information on our Drug Prevention Education Programs and Services, please fill-out a Drug Prevention Program Request or call the office at 203-831-9700.
For the entire schedule on a single page, please see Presentation Schedule At A Glance.
23rd Annual Ian James Eaccarino Memorial 9-Mile Race
August 15, 2021
Running Toward a Healthy Lifestyle
The Courage to Speak Foundation Announces
23rd Annual Ian James Eaccarino Memorial 9-Mile Race
Sunday, August 15th, 2021 at 8 AM at Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk, CT
Ginger Katz, CEO and Founder of the Courage to Speak® Foundation and author of Sunny’s Story, announces the 23rd Annual Ian James Eaccarino Memorial 9-Mile Race, which will take place on Sunday, August 15th at 8 AM at Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk, Connecticut and is promoted by the Lightfoot Running Club. Norwalk’s Mayor Harry Rilling, accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Rilling, will show his continued support of the mission of the Courage to Speak® Foundation by addressing the runners before the race.
Ginger and her husband, Larry, have been members of the Lightfoot Running Club for over 37 years and are co-founders of The Courage to Speak® Foundation. The race is dedicated to Ian Eaccarino, the son of Ginger and Larry, who passed away after an accidental heroin and prescription drug overdose. The 9-Mile Race is dedicated to Ian’s memory, as he worked at the beach the summer before he died and personally planted many of the trees that are now aligned with this beautiful beach.
The 23rd Annual Ian James Eaccarino Memorial 9-Mile Race will be on Sunday, August 15th, 2021 at Calf Pasture Beach. Register through the Lightfoot Running Club website to be a runner for this race, http://www.lightfootrunners.com/. In previous years, we have had 175 runners participate in this extraordinary community race. This demonstrates the commitment to a healthy drug-free lifestyle – the essence of our message to young people. There will be gifts at the race provided by one of our sponsors, Beiersdorf Inc. Beiersdorf Inc. is also providing gift baskets for the 1st place male and female runners.
Our sponsors for the race include our Gift sponsors The Lightfoot Running Club, Norwalk Park & Recreational Department, GWAY Print, Beiersdorf Inc., World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., and Colleen Geisweit, our Bronze sponsors Robin Tucker, Fairfield County Bank and Law Offices of Miklos P. Koleszar, and our Friend sponsors Kenneth and Linda Halaby, Cap Beyer, Crystal Restorations, Donna Fullin, Eagle Inc, and Accurate Auto Repair.
But we need more help so that we can continue our important mission. Please consider becoming a sponsor: Platinum Sponsor ($2,500), Gold Sponsor ($1,000), Silver Sponsor ($500), Bronze Sponsor ($250) and Friend of the Race ($100).
The Courage to Speak® Foundation is a private non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1996 whose mission is to save lives by empowering youth to be drug free and parents to communicate effectively with their children about the dangers of drugs. Over the past 25 years, Ginger and Larry together have presented Ian’s story to hundreds of thousands of people across the country and have been recognized on a state and national level for their work.
For information about sponsoring the race, running in the race and volunteering, please email Ginger Katz at gkatz@couragetospeak.org or visit www.couragetospeak.org.
About The Courage to Speak® Foundation:
The Courage To Speak Foundation Inc. is a nonprofit organization based in Norwalk, CT, whose mission is “to save lives by empowering youth to be drug free through fostering education and open communication about the dangers of drug and alcohol use.” Ginger Katz founded the organization in 1996, just months after her 20 year old son Ian James Eaccarino died of an accidental drug overdose. She and her husband Larry Katz pledged that they would do all they could to help prevent such a tragedy from befalling another family. Since then, Ms. Katz has given nearly 1000 presentations reaching hundreds of thousands of individuals – young people and the adults who care about them. The Courage to Speak Foundation developed drug prevention programs for elementary, middle and high school students as well as parents through Courage to Speak – Courageous Parenting 101®. Ms. Katz also has authored a new book called Sunny’s Story. A book for children of all ages; parents, grandparents, teachers, and others. www.couragetospeak.org
About the Lightfoot Running Club:
The Lightfoot Running Club is a Connecticut organization for runners that hosts and participates in races in several counties in Connecticut. They are committed to raising the bar of competition to reveal the true generosity of the human spirit. www.lightfootrunners.com