St. Augustine, Fla. (Dec. 19, 2016) – Runners and walkers alike are invited to participate in the 2017 5K Run for
Peace that begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 8 at the St. Augustine Pier, located at 350 A1A Beach Blvd.
The family-friendly event, that includes a separate registration for children 13 and under, benefits the Betty
Griffin Center – a nonprofit agency that provides emergency shelter and services for residents experiencing
domestic or sexual abuse in St. Johns County.
Runners can sign up for the event at www.runsignup.com/Race/Events/FL/StAugustine/RunForPeace5k, or
through the events section at www.bettygriffincenter.org. Adult registration costs $25 plus a $2.50 sign-up
fee through Feb. 28 – increasing to $30 after that date. The race fee for children is $15 plus the sign-up fee
through April 6.
“This is among our biggest fundraisers of the year, so we hope runners and walkers will take part in our 5K to
support a very good cause,” said Betty Griffin Center Executive Director Joyce Mahr. “Nearly 500 people
participated last year, and we hope for more community involvement in 2017.”
For more information, visit www.bettygriffincenter.org.
About Betty Griffin Center
The Betty Griffin Center was founded in 1990 by concerned citizens and incorporated as the Safety Shelter of
St. Johns County to develop plans to provide shelter for local victims of domestic violence and their children. In
1992, the nonprofit agency contracted with a local motel for space and started a 24-hour crisis line and court
advocacy program. By 1994, the agency purchased and opened Betty Griffin House as permanent shelter. The
shelter was expanded in 1998 to meet local demand, and sexual assault program was added the same year.
Today, Betty Griffin Center shelters 250 to 350 victims of domestic and sexual abuse annually, operates a 24-
hour crisis helpline, provides professional counseling for victims of domestic and sexual abuse, provides age appropriate violence prevention training and also operates two thrift stores at Julington Square and Anastasia
Square to assist in funding the agency’s ongoing operations.
For more information or to make a donation, visit www.bettygriffincenter.org. To report if you or someone
you know is being abused, call the Betty Griffin Center 24-hour helpline at (904) 824-1555.
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Media Contact:
Ron Whittington
(904) 563-0402
ron@whittingtonpr.com