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Initially rained out in May, Saturday’s Mary’s Place by the Sea Seventh Annual Walk-A-Thon redo drew participation from over 1200 walkers, 100 vendors and sponsors, and hundreds of donors, organizers said.

“This event is very special to us, because we are given the opportunity to reconnect with so many members of our Mary’s Place family, to embrace them and thank them for their love and support,” Co-Founder and President Michele Gannon said. “We have welcomed over 9,000 guests in the past nine years, because of the stewardship of our local community. We are grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our guests.”

While the May  fundraising event for the Ocean Grove respite facility for women with cancer moved indoors, the staff and event committee were determined to hold the 2.5 mile oceanfront walk that traverseses from Ocean Grove to Asbury Park and back.

“Together, this event raised $188,000 for the guests of Mary’s Place,” Walk-A-Thon Committee Chair Clare Freda said. “We are so grateful to all who have registered, donated and sponsored.”

Mary’s Place by the Sea provides women with cancer gratis holistic and integrative services, including oncology massage, nutritional education and guided meditation to yoga, expressive writing and counseling. Guests can stay up to two nights in the custom built, state-of-the-art, 10-bedroom home on Main Avenue.

Freda said the nonprofit will continue to accept donations via the signup website through September’s end.

[Photos courtesy of Tracey James Photography]

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