East Bay High School Student Government Hosts Third Annual Run To Benefit Queena

Staff Report

Student volunteers from East Bay High School’s (EBHS) Student Government Association are prepping to host the third annual 5K4Q Run at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 17 at E.G. Simmons Park located at 2401 19th Ave. NW in Ruskin. The purpose of the event is to raise funds for the continued care of East Bay alumna, Queena, formerly known as Bloomingdale Library Survivor.

Race day registration and packet pick up begins at 7 a.m., while the 5K race kicks off after opening ceremonies at 8 a.m. EBHS will be accepting late registrants for the 5K the day of the race. Registration fees will benefit Queena and are $25/5K runners or walkers, $20/students (high school and college) and seniors, $10/1-mile family fun run. T-shirts on race day will be on a first come first served basis.

The Bloomingdale Library Survivor, Queena, will be at the event, lighting up the finish line with her smile as racers complete the 5K4Q.  The 5K will be followed by a family fun run at 9:15 a.m. where the students have games and challenges for the participants throughout the one-mile course.

In addition, a raffle will also be held prior to the presentation of awards, featuring a variety of gift cards, restaurant certificates and golf foursomes generously donated by local businesses. Tickets will be available the morning of the race for $2 each, or three for $5. Medals will be awarded following the race activities, and a special presentation will be made to Queena and her family by the students.

Queena and her family welcome interested participants to visit the Website, JoinQUEENA.com. The site documents the survivor’s journey to regaining her life as well as updates on her most recent treatments, therapies and accomplishments.

The month of April marked six years since the former student government member was brutally attacked outside of the Bloomingdale Library. She continues to make improvements in her recovery, but the road to a complete return to health is a long and costly one for this beautiful young woman. Medicaid covers only $1,500 per year of the survivor’s physical therapy and speech therapy, while nearly $70,000 is required annually for all of treatments that have helped her make such progress. These additional expenses are funded through the generosity of the community. Donations can be made payable to the Bloomingdale Library Assault Victim Trust at any Bank of Tampa or SunTrust Bank.

For information, contact 5K4QRUN@gmail.com or 364-4655.