FORT LAUDERDALE — The eighth annual Walk For KIDs 5K raised more than $150,000 in support of Kids In Distress, a licensed nationally accredited agency working for the prevention of child abuse, preservation of the family, and care and treatment of abused and neglected children in Broward and Palm Beach counties.


Following the 5K along the beach at John U. Lloyd State Park, walkers and runners enjoyed a traditional pancake breakfast, an interactive sand raffle with a Bahamas cruise and precious gemstones buried in the sand and “The Superman Challenge Obstacle Course” hosted by personal trainer Billy Beck. 

Since 1979, Kids In Distress of Broward and Palm Beach counties has been a licensed nationally accredited agency working for prevention of child abuse, preservation of the family, and care and treatment of abused and neglected children. KID partners with corporations, organizations, municipalities, schools, and individuals to provide basic services to the underserved population in South Florida. 

KID services helped more than 7,000 children and families last year through Prevention, Foster Care, Preschool, Family Counseling Clinic and Emergency Residential programs. In 2011, KID and Nova Southeastern University opened the Kid Dental Clinic and NSU’s Eye Care Institute at KID on KID campus.

“As always, we appreciate the community’s tremendous support for our Walk For KIDs which we have every year to focus a spotlight on Child Abuse Prevention Month,” said Lea Kuhry, Kids In Distress event director. “It is a great day for us to participate in a fun activity along the beach at John U. Lloyd State Park with our families, friends and co-workers while raising money for Kids In Distress programs and services.”  

In addition to presenting sponsor RBC Bank, other sponsors included Advanced Green Technologies, Advanced Roofing, AT&T, BankUnited, BCJA, Dunkin Donuts, encore Pilates, Engineering Contractors Association, Enterprise, Furman Insurance, Greenspoon Marder Law, Incapital, JM Family, Kappa Delta, LEK Consulting, Liberty Power, McCalla Raymor, LLC, MSE, National Marine, NCL, Original House of Pancakes, Patriot Risk, Pediatrix, Performance Automotive, PNC, Publix, Quantam Marine, Regent Seven Seas, Research In Motion/Motorola, San Rio Salon, Zimmerman and more.

For more information visit kidinc.org,facebook.com/KidsInDistress and on Twitter @kidsindistress1